In a rare joint trip, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took the nine-hour train from Poland to Kyiv alongside Foreign Secretary David Lammy, whose two-month-old Labour government has vowed to keep up Britain’s role as a key defender of Ukraine.

The visit comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky ramps up his requests to the West to provide weapons with more firepower and fewer restrictions.

US President Joe Biden, asked in Washington whether he would let Ukraine use longer-range weapons for strikes on Russian targets, said: “We’re working that out right now.”

In Moscow, the Kremlin promised it would respond “appropriately” if Washington eases its restrictions.

Biden, while strongly supportive of Ukraine, has previously made clear he wants to avoid devolving into direct conflict between the United States and Russia, the world’s two leading nuclear powers.

Blinken, speaking Tuesday in London alongside Lammy, said the United States was committed to providing Ukraine “what they need when they need it to be most effective in dealing with the Russian aggression.”

But Blinken, who is paying his fifth trip to Kyiv since the invasion, said it was also important to see if Ukrainian forces could maintain and operate particular weaponry.

Pressed later in an interview with Sky News on whether the United States would green-light long-range weapons, Blinken said: “We never rule out, but when we rule in, we want to make sure it’s done in such a way that it can advance what the Ukrainians are trying to achieve.”

Fears From Iran Missiles

Asked how Moscow would respond to such a development, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday: “It will be appropriate,” without providing specific details.

He said the authorisation of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory would serve as “further proof” of why Moscow launched its offensive, which he said was itself an “answer” to the West’s support.

Ukraine enjoyed a fresh boost late Tuesday when the International Monetary Fund said it reached a staff-level agreement that could open the door to $1.1 billion for the country, which is weathering Russian attacks on infrastructure as winter sets in.

But on the military front, the United States said it believes that Russia could start firing short-range Iranian-made missiles into Ukraine within weeks.

Cash-strapped Iran went ahead with the sale despite repeated warnings from Western powers, which on Tuesday announced new sanctions on the cleric-run state.

The Iranian shipments have raised fears that Moscow would be freed up to use its long-range missiles against comparatively unscathed areas in western Ukraine.

The United States earlier this year gave its blessing for Ukraine to use Western weapons to hit Russian forces when in direct conflict across the border.

But Ukraine last month launched a surprise, daring offensive directly into Russian territory in Kursk, hoping to restore morale and divert Moscow as Russian troops trudge forward in the frontlines of eastern Ukraine.

British media reports said Biden, who meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, was set to end objections to letting Ukraine fire long-range Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.

Britain has repeatedly pushed the United States, by far Ukraine’s biggest military supplier, to be more forward on weapons.

One key ask by Ukraine is to loosen restrictions on US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, which can hit targets up to 300 kilometers (190 miles) away.

In a joint letter to Biden, leading members of Congress from the rival Republican Party asked him to act on ATACMS immediately.

“As long as it is conducting its brutal, full-scale war of aggression, Russia must not be given a sanctuary from which it can execute its war crimes against Ukraine with impunity,” said the letter signed by Representative Mike McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Republicans, however, are deeply divided over Ukraine, and a victory in November by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over Biden’s political heir Kamala Harris could dramatically shift US policy.

Trump aides have suggested that if he wins, he would leverage aid to force Kyiv into territorial concessions to Russia to end the war.

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Thales UK will supply the Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine as part of a 162-million-pound ($212 million) contract.

The first batch is expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

“This new commitment will give an important boost to Ukraine’s air defenses and demonstrates our new government’s commitment to stepping up support for Ukraine,” British Defence Secretary John Healey MP said.

“In recent days we have seen the tragic cost of Russia’s indiscriminate strikes on Poltava and Lviv. These new UK-made missiles will support Ukraine to defend its people, infrastructure, and territory from Putin’s brutal attacks.”

Artillery Ammunition for Ukraine

The contract is primarily funded through the UK’s three-billion-pound ($3.92 billion) annual financial aid package for Ukraine and from Norway’s contributions through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU).

It comes following a bilateral meeting between Healey and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov in London last week.

The meeting also provided a 300-million-pound ($392 million) package of artillery ammunition for Ukraine, procured through the IFU.

The ammunition delivery is also expected to start by the end of this year.

Lightweight Multirole Missile

The versatile guided missile is built by Thales at its Belfast facility, featuring a range of over 6 kilometers (3.72 miles) and a speed of Mach 1.5 (1,152 miles/1,852 kilometers per hour).

It can be fired from a variety of platforms on land, sea, and air at a broad set of targets, such as installations, armored personnel carriers, fast in-shore attack craft, and drones.

Hundreds of LMM missiles have been delivered to Ukraine since the start of the war, “destroying hundreds of Russian drones and other air threats,” according to London.

UK Orders LMM Missiles

To replenish its stocks, the UK Ministry of Defence placed an order of 176 million pounds ($227 million) in July for the missiles.

“Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, UK MoD and Thales have worked in close collaboration to support the Ukrainian effort by delivering key air defense systems at pace,” a Thales spokesperson said.

“We are pleased that this contract is the first to be signed under Task Force Hirst, which has been established to deliver a deeper defense industrial partnership between the UK and Ukraine.”

The post UK Announces 650 Air Defense Missiles for Ukraine appeared first on The Defense Post.

Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant said he was “deeply disheartened” to hear of the sanctions but rights groups said the suspensions did not go far enough.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament that the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licenses following a review by his department into Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas militants.

He said the partial ban covered items “which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza,” including fighter aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

The ban does not include parts for Israel’s advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets, Lammy added.

Lammy announced a review looking at the arms sales shortly after Labour swept to power in a landslide general election victory over the Conservatives in early July.

“It is with regret that… the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” he told lawmakers.

He stressed that the suspension was “not a determination of innocence or guilt” and that the situation would be kept under review.

“We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law,” Lammy said, adding that Britain is “not an international court.”

Lammy restated Britain’s support for Israel to defend itself and stressed the suspension would not have a “material impact on Israel’s security.”

‘Bad Decision’

Britain’s center-left Labour government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, and for the speeding up of aid deliveries into Gaza, since taking power on July 5.

It has largely followed the same approach to the conflict as the previous Conservative government, with Lammy and other ministers at pains to demand Hamas release the hostages seized in its October 7 attacks as part of any ceasefire.

Some commentators have suggested however that Labour, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer — a former human rights lawyer — may take a tougher long-term stance towards Israel and how it conducts its military operations.

Last week, the UK foreign ministry said it was “deeply” concerned by an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to “exercise restraint” and adhere to international law.

Amnesty International’s UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said the government’s decision was a belated acceptance of “the very clear and disturbing evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza.”

But he and other rights groups said it did not go far enough and called the exemption for F-35 components “a catastrophically bad decision” as the jets were being used “extensively” in Gaza.

A trio of rights groups took the Dutch government to court this year over its supply of parts for the jets.

“We need to see a complete halt — with no loopholes, including for components for F-35s supplied to the USA for onward export to the Israeli military — to all UK arms transfers to Israel,” Deshmukh added.

The UK government has faced legal action from rights groups about its export of arms and military components to Israel.

Britain’s strategic licensing criteria states that weapons should not be exported when there is a clear risk they could be used in international humanitarian law violations.

That led to claims that the government was ignoring its own rules in the Gaza conflict.

The post UK Announces Partial Suspension of Arms Exports to Israel appeared first on The Defense Post.

The Stalker VXE30 was put through 20 hours of rigorous trials under challenging weather conditions at Royal Navy Air Station Predannack in Cornwall as part of the Lockheed Martin drone’s capability acceptance.

“The Reiver series, as a vital part of Project Tiquila, is the latest in a series of important [test and evaluation)\] trials as part of the wider Tiquila enterprise,” Defence Equipment and Support’s Hannah Haggett explained. 

“It is crucial we provide the military with cutting-edge capabilities now but also equipment that can be continually upgraded to keep pace with emerging threats in an ever-evolving, demanding battlespace. 

“Testing early and appropriately will underpin both capabilities and from the evidence generated from the trials thus far, the equipment is high quality and is performing as expected.”

264 Mini Drones

The Stalker is one of two mini drones the UK Ministry of Defence purchased in December 2022 for 129 million pounds ($157 million).

The Project Tiquila acquisition includes a total of 105 fixed-wing Stalkers and 159 rotary-wing Indago 4 drones to replace the British Army’s Desert Hawk 3 mini drones.

The drones will allow users to accurately locate targets at multiple ranges across a range of environments and conditions.

Stalker, Indago 4

The 20-kilogram (44-pound) vertically-launched Stalker has a wingspan of 4.88 meters (16 feet) and a low acoustic signature.

It is capable of imaging operations for a duration of eight hours and a range of 60 miles (97 kilometers).

A much smaller Indago 4 weighs just 2.27 kilograms (5 pounds) and can be carried in a backpack.

It features a high-resolution camera system with exceptional zoom capability to identify people, objects, vehicles, and weapons, in both day and night conditions.

Its deployment time is two minutes and it has a range of eight miles (13 kilometers). 

Both platforms are being assessed by a team of experts from 744 Naval Air Squadron, Air & Space Warfare Centre, and Defence Equipment and Support the Tiquila Delivery Team.

The post UK Tests Lockheed Recon Drone Set to Replace Desert Hawk 3 appeared first on The Defense Post.

Its primary focus is advancing Australia’s submarine capabilities and fostering greater technological and intelligence sharing among the three members. However, there is a strong argument for extending the framework to include South Korea.

Such an expansion would not only bolster the collective defense posture against rising regional threats but also enhance the strategic balance in East Asia.

South Korea’s Geopolitical Positioning

South Korea’s strategic location makes it a crucial player in East Asian security dynamics.

Sharing a border with North Korea and being close to China, South Korea occupies a vital position. It acts as a frontline state against North Korean aggression and counterbalances Beijing’s expanding regional influence.

The Korean Peninsula has long been a hotspot for tensions and conflicts, making the stability and security of South Korea essential for the broader region. By integrating South Korea into AUKUS, the alliance could significantly enhance its strategic depth and operational reach in East Asia.

Alliance With US

South Korea is a key ally of the United States, with longstanding military and economic ties. The US-South Korea alliance, formalized through the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, has been a cornerstone of regional security for decades.

Incorporating South Korea into AUKUS would enhance interoperability and coordination among these allies, creating a more cohesive and formidable defense posture in the region.

It would also reaffirm America’s commitment to the security of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, sending a strong message of solidarity and resolve.

Countering North Korean Threats

Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs pose a significant threat to regional stability. The regime’s continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, along with its unpredictable behavior, has heightened tensions and insecurity.

The recent summit between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un highlights the potential for increased military and technological cooperation between North Korea and Russia, raising concerns among Western allies.

By including Seoul in AUKUS, the alliance could integrate South Korea’s advanced military capabilities and intelligence assets, providing a more robust deterrent against North Korean provocations. Furthermore, South Korea’s expertise in dealing with North Korean threats, both conventional and unconventional, would be invaluable in enhancing the alliance’s overall readiness and response capabilities.

Balancing Chinese Influence

China’s assertive policies in the South China Sea and its increasing military presence have raised concerns among neighboring countries.

A broader AUKUS framework would send a strong message of unity and resolve, serving as a counterweight to Chinese expansionism.

It would also provide a more balanced and comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by China’s rise, including its economic coercion, cyber activities, and maritime assertiveness.

Advanced Military Technology

South Korea’s advanced defense industry, particularly in missile defense, cybersecurity, and naval capabilities, would complement AUKUS’ technological ambitions.

South Korea has been a leader in developing cutting-edge military technologies and has a robust defense industrial base. Joint development and sharing of these technologies within the framework would enhance its collective defense capabilities.

This cooperation could include advanced radar systems, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare, providing a technological edge in countering current and future threats.

Submarine Warfare

South Korea has been developing its own submarine capabilities, including plans for nuclear-powered submarines. Submarine warfare is critical to modern naval strategy, providing stealth, endurance, and striking power.

Collaborating under the AUKUS framework could accelerate Seoul’s efforts, providing access to expertise and technology from the US and UK.

This collaboration would enhance South Korea’s submarine fleet and contribute to the overall submarine warfare capabilities of AUKUS. It would also foster greater interoperability and joint operational planning among the allied navies, enhancing their ability to conduct coordinated and effective maritime operations.

Economic Partnerships

Strengthening defense ties under AUKUS would also bolster economic relationships. South Korea’s advanced technological sector and solid industrial base could lead to collaborative projects and financial benefits for all parties involved.

Defense cooperation often spills over into other sectors, fostering innovation, investment, and trade. Joint ventures and collaborative research and development projects could create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement.

Moreover, a closer defense partnership would enhance supply chain security and resilience, particularly in critical sectors such as semiconductors, rare earth elements, and advanced materials.

Diplomatic Leverage

An expanded AUKUS would enhance diplomatic leverage in regional and international forums. This united front could drive more effective policy coordination on issues such as non-proliferation, trade security, and regional stability.

By presenting a cohesive and united stance, the alliance could exert greater influence on the international stage, shaping the regional security architecture and promoting a rules-based order.

It would also provide a platform for addressing other global challenges, such as climate change, humanitarian crises, and pandemics.

Expanding AUKUS

Expanding AUKUS to include South Korea represents a strategic opportunity to enhance regional security, counterbalance rising threats, and foster greater technological and economic collaboration. South Korea’s inclusion would not only strengthen the alliance’s military capabilities and deterrence posture but also promote a more integrated and resilient approach to the complex security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

In an era of shifting power dynamics and emerging threats, highlighted by the recent Putin-Kim Jong-un summit, a broader AUKUS alliance with South Korea would serve as a powerful pillar of stability and security.

By leveraging the strengths and capabilities of all member states, such an expanded alliance would be better positioned to uphold peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Jihoon Yu is a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.

Jihoon was a member of the Task Force for South Korea’s light aircraft carrier project and Jangbogo-III submarine project. He is the main author of the ROK Navy’s Navy Vision 2045.

His areas of expertise include the ROK-US alliance, the ROK-Europe security cooperation, national security, maritime security, and maritime strategy.

He earned his BA in International Relations from the ROK Naval Academy, MA in National Security Affairs from the US Naval Postgraduate School, and a PhD in Political Science from Syracuse University.

Yonghan Park is an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses and North Korean Military Division.

His expertise includes North Korean military and naval security.

He received his PhD at the Department of North Korean Studies at Korea University.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Defense Post.

The Defense Post aims to publish a wide range of high-quality opinion and analysis from a diverse array of people – do you want to send us yours? Click here to submit an op-ed.

The post Enhancing AUKUS: The Strategic Case for Including South Korea appeared first on The Defense Post.

The world’s nine nuclear-armed states jointly spent $91 billion on their arsenals last year, according to a new report from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

That report, and a separate one from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), indicated that nuclear weapons states are dramatically scaling up spending as they modernize and even deploy new nuclear-armed weapons.

“I think it is fair to say there is a nuclear arms race under way,” ICAN chief Melissa Parke told AFP.

Wilfred Wan, head of SIPRI’s weapons of mass destruction program, meanwhile warned in a statement that “we have not seen nuclear weapons playing such a prominent role in international relations since the Cold War.”

SIPRI’s report showed that the total estimated number of nuclear warheads in the world actually declined somewhat to 12,121 at the start of this year, from 12,512 a year earlier.

But while some of that included older warheads scheduled to be dismantled, it said 9,585 were in stockpiles for potential use — nine more than a year earlier.

And 2,100 were kept in a state of “high operational alert” on ballistic missiles.

Nearly all of those were held by the United States and Russia, but China was for the first time believed to also have some warheads on high operational alert, SIPRI said.

“While the global total of nuclear warheads continues to fall as Cold War-era weapons are gradually dismantled, regrettably we continue to see year-on-year increases in the number of operational nuclear warheads,” SIPRI director Dan Smith said.

Nuclear Weapons Spending Jump

The spending surge reported by ICAN appeared to back that up.

The report showed that in 2023 alone, nuclear weapons spending worldwide jumped by $10.8 billion from a year earlier, with the United States accounting for 80 percent of that increase.

The US share of total spending, $51.5 billion, “is more than all the other nuclear-armed countries put together,” said ICAN.

The next biggest spender was China, at $11.8 billion, followed by Russia, spending $8.3 billion.

Britain’s spending meanwhile rose significantly for the second year in a row, swelling 17 percent to $8.1 billion.

Spending for 2023 by the nuclear-armed states — which also include France, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea — jumped more than 33 percent from the $68.2 billion spent in 2018, when ICAN first began collecting this data, it said.

Since then, the nuclear-armed states have spent an estimated total of $387 billion on the deadly weapons, the report showed.

‘Investing in Armageddon’

Parke slammed “the billions of dollars being squandered on nuclear weapons” as “a profound and unacceptable misallocation of public funds.”

She highlighted that that money was more than what the World Food Programme estimates is needed to end world hunger.

“And you could plant a million trees for every minute of nuclear weapons spending,” she said.

“These numbers are obscene, and it is money that the state says is going towards weapons that… will never be used,” she said, pointing to the nuclear deterrence doctrine.

The investments are not only wasteful but also extremely dangerous, she warned.

“What happens when deterrence fails?”

Geneva-based ICAN won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its key role in drafting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which took effect in 2021.

Seventy countries have ratified it to date and more have signed it, although none of the nuclear weapons states have come on board.

“Instead of investing in Armageddon, the nine nuclear-armed states should follow the example of almost half the world’s countries and join the treaty… and make a real contribution to global security,” said Alicia Sanders-Zakre, a co-author of Monday’s ICAN report.

The post Nuclear Arms Spending Soars as Global Tensions Swell: Studies appeared first on The Defense Post.

The bidding is part of the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) seeking additional military capabilities to aid Kyiv in defending its territories against Russian forces.

UDCG was established by the UK, Latvia, and Sweden earlier this year to supply “tens of thousands” of FPV drones to Ukraine in the coming months.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the decision to procure the systems was based on their effectiveness in Eastern Europe since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The agency specified that these drones provide situational awareness for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to identify enemy positions and attack armored vehicles and ships with explosives.

More Competitions Upcoming

Potential industry partners can submit their proposals for the effort at the British defense ministry’s sourcing portal until June 28.

Selected companies will receive orders to supply the aerial vehicles to Ukraine. This phase will be followed by larger follow-up orders based on the fleet’s operational feedback on the battlefield.

The UK and Latvia will then conduct additional FPV competitions throughout the year, leveraging data collected from the project’s initial stage.

“This competition aims to produce these drones at scale and at an affordable price point, leveraging the strength of Western industry,” the UK Ministry of Defence said.

Ukrainian Drone Projects

The Latvian government handed over its first tranche of drones for the UDCG initiative in April.

One month earlier, the UK pledged $155.6 million for approximately 10,000 drones that the nation will donate for the program.

In February, Canada announced its contribution of 800 Teledyne FLIR drones for Ukraine. Simultaneously, Ukraine revealed it will open a new military branch for drone warfare.

The post UK, Latvia Open Bidding for Ukrainian First-Person View Drones appeared first on The Defense Post.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported 16,140 full-time personnel quit the armed forces in the past 12 months, while only 10,680 enlisted.

Of those who left, more than half were considered early retirement.

According to Labour Party shadow defense secretary John Healey, the numbers reflect a concerning “failure” in defense.

He pointed to poor living conditions and eroding troop morale as the main reasons behind the falling retention rate.

“It’s time for change with Labour. We will ensure Britain is better defended,” he told The Telegraph.

Military Housing Issues

According to a recent Labour analysis, more than 2,000 military homes have been branded by the UK MoD as “non-decent.”

The figures account for more than four percent of all British military houses, the highest since 2017.

Common issues include broken boilers, black mold, leaky roofs, and endless waits for repairs.

Because of these housing problems, one-third of all British military personnel are said to be living in low-quality accommodation.

Record Low

Recent data revealed that the current strength of the British military is 183,130 — a decrease of more than 7,000 or four percent from last year.

The figures remain the lowest since the Napoleonic wars in 1815.

The ongoing recruitment and retention crises have aggravated concerns that the UK military may be too small to survive a full-scale war.

The post More People Quit British Military Than Signed Up Last Year: Data appeared first on The Defense Post.

Avioniq’s technology will be assessed for Lot 2 of the Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework agreement to rapidly develop the country’s first hypersonic missile over the next seven years.

Around 90 organizations are eligible to bid for contracts for the 1-billion-pound ($1.3-billion) eight-lot framework agreement.

Lot 2 covers modeling, simulation, and mission planning.

Avioniq’s Software

Avioniq’s AqLab and AqModel modeling and simulation software provides quick and accurate analysis, replication, and prediction of behavior and performance of missile systems and subsystems.

“Models produced within the Avioniq ecosystem can be used by stakeholders across the missile modeling supply chain in runtime simulations for scenario simulation, large Monte Carlo simulations and black box solvers, and simulator- and live aircraft-based mission rehearsal and training activities,” the Swedish technology firm stated.

“The Avioniq model simulation framework allows users to reduce the time needed to produce, analyze and work with accurate missile models by an order of magnitude, reducing the time to build them from months – even years – to hours or days,” Avioniq’s founder and CEO Mikael Grev said. 

“This allows users to greatly condense their missile model development timescales significantly, producing accurate models that can be used across the supply chain for a multitude of applications.”

Hypersonic Development Framework 

The framework agreement seeks spiral development of hypersonic research into capability through nine varying technical readiness levels.

Alongside established defense firms and academic institutions, nearly half of the suppliers will be small and medium enterprises, most of them from the UK.

The framework will reopen to new suppliers every six to 12 months in order to benefit from new technologies and emerging market capabilities.

“Hypersonics will be a landmark capability of the future and it is essential we keep pace with the developments of our adversaries,” Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said.

“The Framework sends a clear demand signal to the UK industry of our intention to develop hypersonics, which is critical for the nearly 50% of the suppliers which will be Small and Medium Enterprises.”

The post Avioniq to Offer Modeling, Simulation Tech for UK Hypersonic Program appeared first on The Defense Post.

The service reportedly directed outsourcing giant Capita to formulate a plan to potentially hire those who would normally face a blanket ban in the British Army.

Under current rules, applicants who have autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or a history of depression are outright rejected.

But a report by The Telegraph said the army is pushing to reverse this policy, with plans to reassess its medical requirements by refining questions on ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and mental health.

Aspiring soldiers with autism or ADHD account for more than 500 failed applications in the British Army each year.

Nearly 4,000 candidates were also turned away last year after having been found to have a history of psychiatric conditions.

‘Physically and Mentally Challenging’

Reports indicate that an estimated 1.2 million people in the UK have autism spectrum disorder, while 2.2 million have been diagnosed with ADHD.

These people may experience impulsivity, social difficulties, and differences in learning that prevent them from becoming a soldier.

The British Army previously said that joining the service can be challenging both physically and mentally.

However, former army head Lord Dannatt said it was right to revisit the medical criteria for aspiring soldiers.

“It makes quite a lot of sense, in terms of medical conditions and mental health,” he stressed. “We should accept a little bit more risk and if the risk turns bad, we can discharge them.”

‘Too Small for War’

The move to reconsider medical criteria for applicants comes as the number of people serving in the British Army continues to plummet.

The service reportedly missed its recruitment goal by 15 percent in the 12 months before March 2024.

It also saw a decline in strength last year, from 78,000 soldiers in 2022 to only 75,983 in 2023.

This shortfall, experienced by other branches in the British military, has caused General Patrick Sanders to conclude that the service is “too small” to survive an all-out war.

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