Britain is facing the most dangerous security environment in decades, the boss of the country\u2019s biggest defence contractor has warned, as tensions with Iran escalate and concerns grow over whether the Armed Forces have the resources needed to respond to a rapidly changing world.<\/p>\n
BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn described the current climate as \u201cthe most threatening time I\u2019ve seen\u201d, warning that Britain\u2019s defence investment still falls \u201cwell short\u201d of what is required to protect the country.<\/p>\n
His stark assessment came hours after Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a direct warning naming RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire as a potential target, claiming any base used to launch attacks against Iranian territory would be considered a legitimate target.<\/p>\n
Tehran has alleged that US B-1 bombers involved in recent strikes against Iran<\/a> operated from the British airbase \u2014 a claim rejected by the UK Government. RAF Fairford has hosted US Air Force operations since March after Britain<\/a> authorised its use for what ministers described as defensive missions.<\/p>\n The latest threat has highlighted the growing risks facing Britain\u2019s military infrastructure as the Middle East crisis spills into a wider confrontation.<\/p>\n The Government insisted the Armed Forces remain ready to respond, saying Britain maintains a \u201clayered approach\u201d to air and missile defence involving the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and NATO<\/a> allies.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it\u2019s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24\/7 to defend itself,\u201d a Government spokesperson said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our NATO allies,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n But Mr Woodburn warned the nature of warfare had fundamentally changed, with conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere demonstrating the growing importance of drones<\/a>, cyber warfare and advanced missile systems.<\/p>\n Speaking to the BBC<\/a>, Mr Woodburn said: \u201cThis is by far the most threatening time I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n \u201cEven when I joined the company in 2016 I was amazed at what we saw Russian submarines doing, the cyber attacks.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s come a long way sadly as a result of the Ukraine<\/a> conflict we\u2019re much more aware of the proximity of a hot war in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n The Government has pledged an additional \u00a315 billion for defence spending, but the announcement triggered political turmoil after former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, arguing funding commitments were insufficient.<\/p>\n Mr Woodburn said the extra money represented progress but did not close the gap between Britain\u2019s ambitions and its military<\/a> capabilities.<\/p>\n The warning comes as investors bet that defence spending will rise further, with BAE Systems shares climbing after Mr Healey\u2019s appointment as Chancellor<\/a>.<\/p>\n