‌Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the revised "Government War Book" would demand a fresh approach to resilience, taking lessons from the Cold War while adapting them to modern society with today's infrastructure. According to Knighton, the threat alone has forced Moscow to escort these tankers or redirect them away from UK waters, although some have still been seen off the coast. When questioned whether boarding operations were about to begin, he said: "Be in no doubt. ‌A long-awaited 10-year Defence Investment Plan - outlining future weapons and capabilities - has yet to be published, leaving much of the defence industry in uncertainty. Knighton added that future infrastructure improvements must take into account threats beyond conventional warfare, requiring different priorities and long-term planning across government.

Source: Daily Mirror April 11, 2026 01:37 UTC