Britain has a weaker culture of national resilience than some of its European allies and needs to learn from the Nordic and Baltic countries, the head of the armed forces has said.
As the military threat from Russia has grown, Nato leaders are increasingly calling for individuals and businesses to play their part in preparations for war, an approach known as “total” or “whole-of-society” defence.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the UK defence staff, said Britain still had to catch up with allies in civil readiness for war and would benefit from studying their example.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin says Britain lacks a culture of total defence
IAN DAVIDSON/ALAMY
“I think we have to acknowledge that we are in a different position … a slightly weaker one than my [Nordic and Baltic] colleagues on the panel,”