The head of the UK military has warned the country faces its most dangerous period since the Cold War, with Russia testing defences and risking crossing a line.
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'This is the most dangerous time I have known in my working life.' He added that Russia has been 'probing, challenging, testing our defences' and is 'raising the stakes and risks crossing a line'.
“UK military chief warns Russia threats at highest level since Cold War”
Sir Richard said the UK must prepare for longer conflicts like the war in Ukraine, rather than the short, contained wars of recent decades. He cited Russian actions including cyber attacks, assassination attempts, technology smuggling and 'reckless sabotage'. In 2026, there have been more long-range Russian aviation flights near UK airspace than in 2025, though no Russian aircraft have entered UK airspace.
His remarks come ahead of the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, originally due in autumn 2025. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday the plan would be published 'in just a few weeks' time' before a Nato summit starting July 7 in Turkey. The plan will set out how new equipment and defence infrastructure will be funded over the next decade.
Sir Richard said ministers are aware of the threats and are increasing spending. 'Exactly as the prime minister says, we need to spend more on defence and do it faster,' he said. He also stressed that drones and autonomous systems will become 'increasingly important in the future of warfare' and require more investment.
Sir Keir Starmer said the investment plan would be 'another step up' in defence spending. Defence Secretary John Healey said it could be published before the Nato summit. The warning from Sir Richard is a call for society to recognise the threats and make 'different choices and different priorities'.