The British army has admitted it is no match for Russia

[Stelio Kontos]

A report leaked to the Times newspaper says that the British army would be "vulnerable" in the battlefield against Russia and that Russian President Vladimir Putin would have a "significant capability edge" in state-on-state warfare.

The Times revealed the report, which was produced by the British army, on Wednesday. It warns that the UK and its NATO allies are "scrambling to catch up" with Russia, which enjoys significant advantages in pretty much every key aspect of warfare.

Specifically, the report explains how Russia's arsenal of weapons — which includes rocket launchers and advanced air-defence systems — are much more powerful than what Britain's military has at its disposal.

Even major developments Britain has planned will not match up to Russia's firepower. A planned £3.5 million ($4.6 million) fleet of lightly armoured vehicles will be "disproportionately vulnerable" to Russian rocket fire in a warfare scenario.

It is not just physical warfare in which Moscow has a clear edge, the report says. Russian intelligence has mastered the art of hacking and disturbing radar signals, meaning the effectiveness of British and NATO weaponry and aircraft operated using GPS navigation is under serious threat.

British soldiers could be under threat on social media, too. The leaked report warns that military personnel ought to leave devices like mobile phones and iPads behind when going on exercises, as they could be hacked by Russian intelligence.

The paper was based on research into the tactics Russia has used during its conflict with Ukraine. It sets out numerous strategies and weapons that British military must quickly learn to counter.

This study will be the cause of serious concern for Prime Minister Theresa May. It says Britain has spent the 21st century focusing on counterinsurgency operations against terrorist groups in the Middle East, for example, but as a result has fallen well behind when it comes to being prepared for state-on-state warfare.

"In the unlikely event of a direct confrontation between Nato and RUS, we must acknowledge that RUS currently has a significant capability edge over UK force elements," the report says.

May recently spoke with Putin on the phone for the first time since she replaced David Cameron as prime minister, according to the BBC. Both leaders expressed "dissatisfaction" with current UK-Russia relations and vowed to work toward an improved relationship.

I know in the case of a war the UK, and the rest of NATO, would be relying on the US to actually win the war for them.

But who knows, the British army is surely less knowledgeable than the usual posters here when it comes to how strong or weak Russia is.

[Zogarth]

Never gonna get to full on war anyway.

Reason: Nukes.

Cyber-war and hacking and all that? Sure, hard to defend against. But honestly can't see how they can't catch up. The ones with the most skill in the areas are most likely not even military but companies like Google and other IT-companies.

[Deleted]

Is this the caveman version of asserting dominance in terms of making up hypothetical war scenarios?

"MY ARMY COULD TOTALLY BEAT YOURS!" "NUH-UH!"

[Khadgar]

NATO army is more than a match for Russia, that's all that matters.

England expanding its army now wouldn't change anything atm, plus their closest ally only has the best army in the world.

[Rafoel]

A report leaked to the Times newspaper says that the British army would be "vulnerable" in the battlefield against Russia and that Russian President Vladimir Putin would have a "significant capability edge" in state-on-state warfare.

The Times revealed the report, which was produced by the British army, on Wednesday. It warns that the UK and its NATO allies are "scrambling to catch up" with Russia, which enjoys significant advantages in pretty much every key aspect of warfare.

Specifically, the report explains how Russia's arsenal of weapons — which includes rocket launchers and advanced air-defence systems — are much more powerful than what Britain's military has at its disposal.

Even major developments Britain has planned will not match up to Russia's firepower. A planned £3.5 million ($4.6 million) fleet of lightly armoured vehicles will be "disproportionately vulnerable" to Russian rocket fire in a warfare scenario.

It is not just physical warfare in which Moscow has a clear edge, the report says. Russian intelligence has mastered the art of hacking and disturbing radar signals, meaning the effectiveness of British and NATO weaponry and aircraft operated using GPS navigation is under serious threat.

British soldiers could be under threat on social media, too. The leaked report warns that military personnel ought to leave devices like mobile phones and iPads behind when going on exercises, as they could be hacked by Russian intelligence.

The paper was based on research into the tactics Russia has used during its conflict with Ukraine. It sets out numerous strategies and weapons that British military must quickly learn to counter.

This study will be the cause of serious concern for Prime Minister Theresa May. It says Britain has spent the 21st century focusing on counterinsurgency operations against terrorist groups in the Middle East, for example, but as a result has fallen well behind when it comes to being prepared for state-on-state warfare.

"In the unlikely event of a direct confrontation between Nato and RUS, we must acknowledge that RUS currently has a significant capability edge over UK force elements," the report says.

May recently spoke with Putin on the phone for the first time since she replaced David Cameron as prime minister, according to the BBC. Both leaders expressed "dissatisfaction" with current UK-Russia relations and vowed to work toward an improved relationship.

I know in the case of a war the UK, and the rest of NATO, would be relying on the US to actually win the war for them.

But who knows, the British army is surely less knowledgeable than the usual posters here when it comes to how strong or weak Russia is.

UK is One Single Country.

Look at map. Look at size of UK. Look at size of Russia.

In Europe there are tens of countries. UE has GDP(PPP) of 19 trillion. UK has GDP(PPP) of 2.5 trillion. Still, GDP(PPP) of Russia is 3.6 trillion. So, OF COURSE its stronger than UK. Stronger than the rest of Europe? Jokes on you. The point is EU countries spend very little of military, as they don't feel the need to act like world police. Russia could gain advantage if it striked first and with surprise massive attack, but when the war industry kicks in, they are destined to be crushed.

[Theodarzna]

Eh, the day's of the British Empire are gone..... not exactly surprising that Britain's army couldn't take on Russia's.

[Deleted]

Is this the caveman version of asserting dominance in terms of making up hypothetical war scenarios?

"MY ARMY COULD TOTALLY BEAT YOURS!" "NUH-UH!"

''Who would win, Superman or Goku???''

[Deleted]

No need to admit that really. It never was a match for Russia.
Well, maybe in the British Empire days I guess. But certainly not after WW2.

There is no other European country that can match Russia either. Not even the combined forces woud be enough, no matter if Russia has old material or not.
The only country that can beat it is the USA.

[yetgdhfgh]

Eh, the day's of the British Empire are gone..... not exactly surprising that Britain's army couldn't take on Russia's.

Its all about numbers.

The British Empire was built on seapower not its army which has always been small but professional.

If push came to shove you better believe that our army would swell like it did back in WW1 and WW2 but its pointless cause Nukes has made a normal war impossible.

Britain could annihilate Russia with its nuclear weapons and Russia could respond in kind with there huge nuclear arsenal.

Bottom lines is we live in a world where theoretically we have 2 enemies Russia/china and terrorists and we cant go to war with Russia/China cause that would lead to nuclear armageddon and as for terrorists? Those sanddwellers have only IEDS and AK-47s and they sure as shit aint gonna be parachuting into Whitehall or Pennsylvania avenue anytime soon!

[Khadgar]

There is no other European country that can match Russia either. Not even the combined forces woud be enough, no matter if Russia has old material or not.
The only country that can beat it is the USA.

Well if Germany was given permission to rebuild its army...

[Deleted]

Well if Germany was given permission to rebuild its army...

Then the Prussian fighting spirit would still be missing.

[yetgdhfgh]

Well if Germany was given permission to rebuild its army...

They dont need permission neither does Japan!

[Celista]

Look at map. Look at size of UK. Look at size of Russia.

Came here to say exactly this. OBVIOUSLY the UK wouldn't hold up against Russia on its own, I mean ffs.

It's akin to asking which would hurt more, being stung by a bee or being hit by a car.

[kamuimac]

A report leaked to the Times newspaper says that the British army would be "vulnerable" in the battlefield against Russia and that Russian President Vladimir Putin would have a "significant capability edge" in state-on-state warfare.

The Times revealed the report, which was produced by the British army, on Wednesday. It warns that the UK and its NATO allies are "scrambling to catch up" with Russia, which enjoys significant advantages in pretty much every key aspect of warfare.

Specifically, the report explains how Russia's arsenal of weapons — which includes rocket launchers and advanced air-defence systems — are much more powerful than what Britain's military has at its disposal.

Even major developments Britain has planned will not match up to Russia's firepower. A planned £3.5 million ($4.6 million) fleet of lightly armoured vehicles will be "disproportionately vulnerable" to Russian rocket fire in a warfare scenario.

It is not just physical warfare in which Moscow has a clear edge, the report says. Russian intelligence has mastered the art of hacking and disturbing radar signals, meaning the effectiveness of British and NATO weaponry and aircraft operated using GPS navigation is under serious threat.

British soldiers could be under threat on social media, too. The leaked report warns that military personnel ought to leave devices like mobile phones and iPads behind when going on exercises, as they could be hacked by Russian intelligence.

The paper was based on research into the tactics Russia has used during its conflict with Ukraine. It sets out numerous strategies and weapons that British military must quickly learn to counter.

This study will be the cause of serious concern for Prime Minister Theresa May. It says Britain has spent the 21st century focusing on counterinsurgency operations against terrorist groups in the Middle East, for example, but as a result has fallen well behind when it comes to being prepared for state-on-state warfare.

"In the unlikely event of a direct confrontation between Nato and RUS, we must acknowledge that RUS currently has a significant capability edge over UK force elements," the report says.

May recently spoke with Putin on the phone for the first time since she replaced David Cameron as prime minister, according to the BBC. Both leaders expressed "dissatisfaction" with current UK-Russia relations and vowed to work toward an improved relationship.

I know in the case of a war the UK, and the rest of NATO, would be relying on the US to actually win the war for them.

But who knows, the British army is surely less knowledgeable than the usual posters here when it comes to how strong or weak Russia is.

how the hell is that even a surprise ? the only reason hitler didnt took over britain in WW2 was because it was an island and not worth the hassle

[yetgdhfgh]

Came here to say exactly this. OBVIOUSLY the UK wouldn't hold up against Russia on its own, I mean ffs.

It's akin to asking which would hurt more, being stung by a bee or being hit by a car.

Russia was beaten badly by Japan so the size of the country dont mean shit.

But then this isnt the early 1900s anymore where Britain woulve wiped the floor with Russia! We live in a age where manpower dont mean shit because you could launch a drone strike against a army barracks and wipe out tens of thousands from the safety of your home country.

Britain will never go to war with anyone (unless the US says otherwise but thats a different story) The only country Britain could possibly fight against on its own in the future is Argentina over the Falklands and you can bet that aint gonna happen again any time soon!

[kamuimac]

England expanding its army now wouldn't change anything atm, plus their closest ally only has the best army in the world.

since when UK is so close buddy to China ?

[Deleted]

But would the UK even hold up against France?

[kamuimac]

Russia was beaten badly by Japan so the size of the country dont mean shit.

russia was not beat badly - some remote areas that they didnt gave to much fuck about were beaten - in that war korea was the real beaten country they taken some areas of russia without significant value - learn the history pls

[Frozenbeef]

Why would Russian want to go to war?

[yetgdhfgh]

russia was not beat badly - some remote areas that they didnt gave to much fuck about were beaten - in that war korea was the real beaten country they taken some areas of russia without significant value - learn the history pls

Japan Hummilated Russia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Japanese_War