Former British military chiefs have warned that Labor governments' defense spending plans are leaving Britain unprepared for a possible war, arguing funding delays could empower Russia and other hostile nations, The Telegraph. Former army chief General Lord Dunnatt criticized the government for relying on what he called "creative accounting", urging ministers to provide funding immediately rather than delaying decisions. Former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, said the armed forces remained under-resourced and warned that the target of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030 would not result in a significant improvement in military capabilities before 2035. Former Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Lord Richards said the government's defense strategy remained underfunded, warning that Britain could not afford to delay investment if it faced the prospect of war within 1,000 days. He called for urgent spending on ballistic missile defense, homeland security, submarine cables, gas pipelines and the armed forces. The government has set a target of reaching 3% of GDP in defense spending by 2030, while plans to meet NATO's 3.5% commitment by 2035 are expected to be outlined in next years spending review. The chairman of the Parliamentary Defense Select Committee also warned that delaying funding decisions could leave the UK seriously vulnerable. The warnings come amid rising tensions with Russia and Iran. Separately, a court heard claims that two British men accused of a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford were treated by an operative believed to be working for Iran. British authorities also urged the public to prepare emergency kits containing food, water, radios and blankets in case of cyber attacks by hostile countries.

Former British military chiefs have warned that Labor governments' defense spending plans are leaving Britain unprepared for a possible war, arguing funding delays could empower Russia and other hostile nations, The Telegraph. Former army chief General Lord Dunnatt criticized the government for relying on what he called "creative accounting", urging ministers to provide funding immediately rather than delaying decisions. Former Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall, said the armed forces remained under-resourced and warned that the target of spending 3% of GDP on defense by 2030 would not result in a significant improvement in military capabilities before 2035. Former Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Lord Richards said the government's defense strategy remained underfunded, warning that Britain could not afford to delay investment if it faced the prospect of war within 1,000 days. He called for urgent spending on ballistic missile defense, homeland security, submarine cables, gas pipelines and the armed forces. The government has set a target of reaching 3% of GDP in defense spending by 2030, while plans to meet NATO's 3.5% commitment by 2035 are expected to be outlined in next years spending review. The chairman of the Parliamentary Defense Select Committee also warned that delaying funding decisions could leave the UK seriously vulnerable. The warnings come amid rising tensions with Russia and Iran. Separately, a court heard claims that two British men accused of a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford were treated by an operative believed to be working for Iran. British authorities also urged the public to prepare emergency kits containing food, water, radios and blankets in case of cyber attacks by hostile countries.