Britain Is Preparing for Attacks on Its Soil. Critics Say It Must Move Faster.

After disbanding its dedicated homeland defense force in 1992, as a result of perceived peace following the Cold War, Britain is now refocusing on preparing for potential attacks within its borders.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's recent warning that conflict is approaching, coupled with Russia's stated readiness for war with Europe and increased hostility from President Trump, has spurred the British government to develop a comprehensive defense strategy. This "whole of society approach" aims to integrate the military, police, and various government departments to prepare for a range of potential threats.

While a full-scale land invasion is considered unlikely, experts at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) emphasize the demonstrated risk of attacks on critical infrastructure through sabotage, drone strikes, and other hybrid warfare tactics, citing the war in Ukraine as a key example.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. some military experts and lawmakers believe the government's response is too slow. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, a Labour Party MP and chair of Parliament's defense committee, stated that Britain is currently unprepared to resist armed attacks and address wider threats such as undersea cable sabotage and increased cyberattacks from Russia. He described the home defense program's progress as "glacial."

Paul O'Neill, a senior research fellow at RUSI and former Royal Air Force officer, echoed these concerns, noting that Britain's defenses are significantly behind those of Baltic and Nordic countries like Finland, which have long-standing military service programs and civilian training initiatives. O'Neill also raised concerns about training capacity, suggesting that previous sales of Ministry of Defense properties could hinder the rapid mobilization of a home defense force. He anticipates a lengthy process before the UK can establish a truly effective defense system.