Play all audios:
“THAT’S NOT TO SAY IT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN OR IMMINENT, BUT IN TERMS OF THE CAPABILITY, A CRUISE MISSILE IS ONLY 90 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE UK.” TOM BURNETT Content Editor 22:17, 02 Jun 2025 The
British people must recognise that a cruise missile is “only 90 minutes away from the UK”, one of the authors of government's Strategic Defence Review has warned. General Sir Richard
Barrons told Sky News’s Politics Hub: “We should absolutely be prepared to exist in a world where things like precision missiles can range the UK and do great harm. “That’s not to say it’s
about to happen or imminent, but in terms of the capability, a cruise missile is only 90 minutes away from the UK.” Earlier, he had suggested that “the damage done to places like Kyiv by
missiles and air attack” could be replicated in British cities “if we don’t take steps to deter them”. A “new era” for UK defence is needed, Defence Secretary John Healey has said, as he
pledged to make the British Army “10 times more lethal”. In a statement to the Commons, Mr Healey said the Government will accept the 62 recommendations in the strategic defence review
(SDR). Article continues below Mr Healey told MPs: “The threats we face are now more serious and less predictable than at any time since the end of the Cold War. We face war in Europe,
growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber attacks at home. “Our adversaries are working more in alliance with one another, while technology is changing the way war is
fought. We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence.” He added: “The SDR confirms that we must move to war fighting readiness. War fighting readiness means stronger
deterrence. We need stronger deterrence to avoid the huge costs, human and economic that wars create. And we prevent wars by being strong enough to fight and win them, and that is what has
made Nato the most successful defence alliance in history over the last 75 years.” Mr Healey went on to say the Government will establish a “new hybrid Navy” and “develop the next generation
RAF (Royal Air Force)”, adding: “We will make the British Army 10 times more lethal by combining future technology of drones, autonomy and AI (artificial intelligence) with the heavy metal
of tanks and artillery.” The Strategic Defence Review will mark an end to an era of “hollowing out” of the armed forces, MPs were told. Rounding off a statement to the Commons, Defence
Secretary John Healey said: “This SDR is the first defence review in a generation for growth and for transformation in UK defence. Article continues below “It will end 14 years of hollowing
out in our armed forces, and instead we will see investment increased, the navy expanded, the army grown, the air force upgraded, war fighting readiness restored, Nato strengthened, the
nuclear deterrent guaranteed, advance technology developed and jobs, jobs created in every nation and region of this country. “The Strategic Defence Review will make Britain safer, more
secure at home, and stronger abroad.”