UK and German defence chiefs Sir Richard Knighton and Carsten Breuer argue in The Guardian that Europe must strengthen its armed forces and defence industrial base to deter Russian aggression. Citing the war in Ukraine, they say deterrence requires unity, sustained spending and the ability to produce ammunition and equipment at wartime tempo. They frame rearmament as a moral responsibility to protect populations and preserve peace.
UK and German Defence Chiefs Urge Stronger Military Posture to Deter Russian Threats
Chief of the Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton makes his keynote address on day two of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) on Sept. 10, 2025 in London, England.(Getty Images)
Senior British and German military leaders have called for a sustained strengthening of Europe’s armed forces and defence industry to deter potential Russian aggression. In an opinion piece for The Guardian, United Kingdom Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton and German Chief of Defence Carsten Breuer argue that visible, credible strength is necessary to preserve peace.
"Moscow’s military buildup, combined with its willingness to wage war on our continent, as painfully evidenced in Ukraine, represents an increased risk that demands our collective attention," they wrote.
The two chiefs frame their position as a case of "peace through strength," warning that deterrence fails when adversaries sense disunity or weakness. They stress that convincing deterrence requires not just higher budgets but resilient defence supply chains and industrial capacity across Europe.
General Carsten Breuer, inspector general of the Bundeswehr, speaks after the meeting of the Defense Committee on Jan. 14, 2026, in Berlin.
"Ukraine shows us that industrial bases are key to sustaining and ultimately winning any major war. The increased defence spending under way across our countries proves that we are taking this seriously, as we cannot deter if we cannot produce. Our industries must be capable of sustained output – manufacturing the ammunition, systems and platforms our forces require at the pace modern conflict demands," they wrote.
The chiefs also emphasize the ethical dimension of rearmament: rebuilding defence capability is a responsible step to protect civilians and prevent further aggression, not an act of warmongering. "Strength deters aggression. Weakness invites it," they conclude.
Why it matters: Their intervention comes amid rising defence budgets across Europe and ongoing concerns about Russia’s posture following its invasion of Ukraine. Knighton and Breuer call for coordinated procurement, industrial resilience and political unity among NATO and EU partners to ensure Europe can both deter threats and sustain operations if needed.
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