The UK has prepared weapon supplies in a “war game” after Putin begins to ramp up World War III rhetoric.
The new strategy will require military suppliers to demonstrate the ways in which they would produce a large number of critical weapons at pace – including drones and missile rockets.
This move follows wider concern that the UK would not be able to supply enough equipment for the front lines at short notice amid fears over the state of the industry’s resilience and flexibility.
Ministers have expressed concern that there is excessive focus on expensive, advanced equipment that takes a significant amount of time and resources although still vulnerable to newer technology, The Times reports.
One official emphasised that the developments in the Ukraine war was a “machine gun moment for the army and a jet-engine moment for the air force” (Stock)
PA
Additionally, Government figures have said that the conflict in Ukraine has depicted that “exquisite” military equipment such as state-of-the-art tanks, personnel carriers and warships are susceptible to drone attacks, which only cost around a few hundred pounds to produce.
One official emphasised that the developments in the Ukraine war was a “machine gun moment for the army and a jet-engine moment for the air force”.
Sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) told The Times that Ukraine’s drone technology was advancing every month or so, as they claimed that defence manufacturers were required to produce “high-impact but less time-incentive bits of kits” swiftly.
They said: “That is something we need to test to ensure we have the capability to do.
In a protracted war you are only as strong as the industry that stands behind you.”
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