UK to Increase Ammunition Stockpile with £2.5bn Boost

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Britain’s military is set to reallocate £2.5bn towards strengthening its ammunition stockpiles. This move is part of an updated defence strategy that draws inspiration from the conflict in Ukraine. The strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness and agility of the UK’s armed forces.

This military strategy, which will be presented in parliament on Tuesday, forms an essential part of the government’s integrated review of defence, security, and foreign policy. It outlines the UK’s plans to counter the threats posed by Russia and China.

In addition to boosting weapons supplies, the strategy places significant emphasis on digital capabilities to improve coordinated operations across various domains, including land, sea, air, cyber, and space forces.

Outgoing defence secretary, Ben Wallace, emphasizes that the plan is not simply a shopping list for new equipment, but rather a means to enhance the productivity of the British military. He stresses the importance of seamless communication and cooperation between weapons systems, emphasizing the lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence has published the strategy paper, which does not involve further cuts to the armed forces or any major changes to existing equipment programs. Instead, it focuses on making military personnel and current equipment more lethal through improved logistics, larger ammunition stockpiles, and better utilization of existing technologies.

An example of this approach is the adaptation of the UK’s Brimstone guided missile, which was originally designed for aerial deployment but was modified to be launched from the back of a truck. This modification proved highly effective when used by the armed forces of Kyiv against Russian tanks in Ukraine.

Wallace defends the strategy’s seemingly mundane emphasis on behind-the-scenes improvements rather than flashy new gadgets. He highlights the importance of a more lethal, enabled, and globally deployable force, rather than ineffective equipment.

Wallace, who will step down in the next cabinet reshuffle after a four-year tenure, believes he is leaving behind a transformed military. During his time in office, he secured an additional £24bn in funding and increased awareness in parliament regarding the necessity of investing in defence.

The UK’s current annual defence budget is approximately £50bn, the second-largest in NATO after the US, accounting for around 2% of the country’s gross domestic product. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to raise this figure to 2.5% when economic conditions permit.

Wallace states that freedom comes at a cost. He stresses the importance of having a well-prepared and modernized armed force that can make the most of increased defence funding.