Scant 5% think Armed Forces are battle-ready

FEW believe the UK is very well prepared for a war, exclusive polling for the Daily Express can reveal.

- By Conor Wilson

Just 5% of Britons think the country is ready after a report laid bare our defence shortcomings against any aggression from states such as Russia, Iran and China.

The Strategic Defence Review warned: "For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the UK faces multiple, direct threats to its security, prosperity and democratic values. The world itself is beset by volatility and deep uncertainty."

The report's authors recommended improving recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces, investing in military hardware and weaponry and developing new command structures specialising in cyber warfare and AI.