In actuality, the UK is helpless against many types of contemporary attacks. At a recent conference in Berlin, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
The head of the defense staff, acknowledged as much while emphasizing the need to emulate the Nordic and Baltic nations in strengthening their civil and military preparedness for conflict.
The Royal Navy cannot deploy an aircraft carrier group without depending on US and ally ships and planes, notwithstanding audacious bluster.
The Army has insufficient ammunition to fight for more than a month and is unable to mobilize a complete division of 15,000 men out of a 70,000-strong force.
Out of a fleet of more than 100 Typhoons, the RAF only has around two dozen that are combat-ready.
The defense secretary is correct to emphasize that improving expenditure is more important than simply increasing it. But money does matter.
The UK cannot afford to postpone its reaction by citing economic restrictions if a NATO state invokes Article 5, which calls for collective defense.
Many analysts in the Nordic and Baltic areas feel that this scenario might occur within five years.
