UK’s armed forces are in a sad state – and they have only themselves to blame

The UK's Ministry of Defence is facing criticism for the poor state of the country's armed forces, with former defence secretary George Robertson stating that the MoD has only itself to blame, in a scathing assessment made in London on 14 April 2026.

The key issue is the Ministry of Defence's inability to learn from its mistakes, which has led to a lack of confidence from the Treasury in agreeing to its funding demands. This has resulted in the armed forces being under-resourced and under-equipped, with Robertson, who also served as Nato secretary general, being particularly critical of the MoD's failure to implement effective strategic defence reviews. The latest review, authored by Robertson, has been described as evasive, highlighting the MoD's lack of willingness to address its shortcomings.

The wider context of this issue is the long-standing pattern of inefficiency and waste within the Ministry of Defence, which has been plagued by costly procurement projects and a lack of effective planning. This has led to a decline in the UK's military capabilities, making it less effective in responding to emerging threats. The MoD's failure to learn from its mistakes has also led to a lack of trust from the Treasury, which is reluctant to provide additional funding without seeing significant reforms. The UK's armed forces are a critical component of the country's national security, and their poor state has significant implications for the country's ability to defend itself and its interests.

The reaction to Robertson's criticism has been mixed, with some defence officials acknowledging the need for reform, while others have defended the MoD's record. The next steps will be crucial, with the Treasury expected to make a decision on the MoD's funding demands in the coming months. If the MoD is unable to demonstrate a clear plan for reform and improvement, it is likely that its funding will be cut, which could have serious implications for the UK's military capabilities. The UK government will need to take urgent action to address the issues facing the armed forces, including implementing effective strategic defence reviews and improving procurement practices, in order to restore the country's military effectiveness and credibility.