The UK military is too depleted to lead a future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, according to Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army. Speaking to the BBC, he warned that Britain lacks the necessary troop numbers to contribute effectively to a large-scale deployment, estimating that up to 40,000 UK troops would be required—forces that are simply unavailable.
His remarks come as Sir Keir Starmer affirmed that the UK would “play its part” in ensuring Ukraine’s security, following discussions on the possibility of British peacekeepers being sent to the war-torn country.
UK and France Urged to Lead Peacekeeping Force
A former NATO chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has proposed that Britain and France should lead a multinational peacekeeping force of up to 100,000 troops in Ukraine if the conflict with Russia ends.
“I would let military experts determine the exact number, but my guess would be between 50,000 and 100,000 troops,” Rasmussen told BBC Newsnight, emphasizing that European nations must take greater responsibility for regional security.
However, Lord Dannatt argued that the UK lacks the manpower and resources to commit to such an operation.
“Our military is so run down, both in numbers and capability, that it would be embarrassing if we were asked to contribute,” he said. “Deploying 10,000 troops per six-month rotation would effectively tie up 30,000 to 40,000 personnel, and we just don’t have that capacity available.”
UK Army Faces Manpower Crisis
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures from October 2024 show that the UK’s regular Army has just 74,612 personnel (excluding Gurkhas and volunteers). Recruitment has been below target almost every year since 2010, raising concerns about Britain’s ability to meet growing military demands.
Despite the UK’s pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, Lord Dannatt believes the government must prioritize military investment beyond current commitments.
“Yes, health, education, and infrastructure are important, but defence and national security must come first,” he insisted.
US and UK Align on Ukraine’s Security
As geopolitical tensions rise, US President Donald Trump recently revealed he had spoken with Vladimir Putin about initiating immediate negotiations to end what he called the “ridiculous war” in Ukraine.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed calls for Western nations to commit to peacekeeping operations once hostilities end. The UK has already trained 50,000 Ukrainian troops on British soil and pledged an annual £3 billion military aid package to Kyiv.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, where they discussed securing a long-term peace settlement for Ukraine.
“We are aligned on the need for an enduring peace that includes Ukraine’s participation in any negotiated deal,” Lammy told Reuters.
Britain’s Military Future in Question
While the UK government continues to support Ukraine militarily, calls for boots on the ground in a post-war peacekeeping mission have highlighted concerns about the readiness of the British Armed Forces.
In response to Lord Dannatt’s warning, an MoD spokesperson defended the UK’s military standing, stating:
“Britain’s armed forces are respected worldwide for their professionalism and excellence. Right now, we are stepping up our support for Ukraine’s warfighters, providing an additional £150m firepower package with more drones, tanks, and air defence systems.”
However, as European nations debate their roles in securing Ukraine’s future, questions remain about whether the UK has the military strength to meet its global commitments.
