British Defense Minister Alistair Carns warned Wednesday that the British Army could be destroyed within six months to a year in the event of a major war. Speaking at a conference in London, Carns stated that the army, currently at its smallest size since the 1700s, would be unable to sustain a prolonged conflict similar to the war in Ukraine. He cited the high daily casualty rates in Ukraine, with around 1,500 Russian soldiers killed or injured each day, as a key factor.

Carns emphasized the importance of reservists, saying they are critical in providing the necessary manpower to respond quickly during a crisis. He also stressed that while the army does not need to be larger, it must be able to generate mass and depth swiftly. Despite this, Deputy Chief of the British Defense Staff Rob Magowan assured that the army is prepared for immediate combat.