UK complacent over war threat, warns BAE boss as defence fears grow Britain has become dangerously complacent about the growing threat of war, according to the head of Europe's biggest defence company, who says the country now faces the most serious security risks in decades. BAE Systems chief executive Dr Charles Woodburn warned that Russia's aggression, cyber warfare and rapidly advancing military technology have transformed the global security landscape and require a far greater investment in Britain's armed forces. 'Most dangerous time of my lifetime'In a rare interview, Woodburn said the level of international tension is unlike anything he has witnessed during his career. "This is by far the most threatening time I've seen," he said, pointing to Russia's military activity, cyber attacks and the continuing conflict in Ukraine as evidence that Europe faces an increasingly unstable future. He welcomed recent increases in defence spending but argued much more investment will be needed if the Government is to meet its target of spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035. New era of warfareWoodburn said the Ukraine conflict has demonstrated how quickly modern warfare is changing. Autonomous drones, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence are now playing a decisive role on the battlefield, forcing militaries around the world to rethink how future wars will be fought. He warned Britain was approaching an era in which autonomous lethal weapons could be deployed by hostile nations without meaningful human oversight. "While we follow rules of keeping a human in the loop, we know very well our adversaries are not always doing that," he said. Traditional forces still vitalDespite the rapid growth of drone warfare, Woodburn rejected suggestions that conventional military hardware is becoming obsolete. He said aircraft, warships and submarines remain essential because Britain's potential adversaries continue investing heavily in traditional armed forces while combining them with unmanned systems. Victory, he argued, will come from integrating both technologies rather than replacing one with the other. Questions over Britain's readinessThe warning comes amid growing concern over the state of Britain's armed forces. Senior military figures have questioned whether the UK is prepared for a major conflict, while critics in the United States have mocked the size and readiness of Britain's military. Woodburn defended BAE's role, insisting the company delivers equipment as quickly as the Ministry of Defence requests it. Defence spending under pressureThe BAE chief welcomed the appointment of former Defence Secretary John Healey as Chancellor, describing him as someone who understands the country's military requirements. However, he acknowledged that funding defence would have to compete with other spending priorities across government. Current plans would increase defence spending to around 2.68 per cent of GDP by 2030, leaving ministers with a substantial funding gap if they are to reach the 3.5 per cent target by 2035. Defence as an economic driverPrime Minister Andy Burnham has argued that increased defence spending can also help revive British industry by creating skilled jobs and boosting manufacturing. Woodburn agreed, saying investment in defence should be viewed not simply as military spending but as a driver of economic growth, innovation and employment. He added that BAE's ultimate purpose is not to wage war but to prevent it. "The best thing we can do is deter conflict," he said. "Our mission is to protect those who protect us." SOURCE
