General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff, will tell the UK Land Warfare Conference that future British soldiers will never drive into battle without being accompanied by ground drones. Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute in London, he will emphasize the Army's crucial role in UK security and its embrace of new technology and artificial intelligence.
No Crewed Platform Without Uncrewed Ground Vehicles
General Walker is expected to say: "I have been clear to industry: in the future, no crewed platform should ever deploy in future without uncrewed ground vehicles – the utility vehicle of the 21st century." He will describe the Army as first on the ground and last to leave in conflict, stating: "Only armies seize and hold ground, and only armies remain when wars end. The Army 'buys' the nation not just battlefield success in isolation but decisive weight at the point it matters."
Army Evolving at Pace
General Walker will claim the Army is evolving rapidly to meet future demands, with ambitions to "strike deep, defend forward, and build stronger." He will argue: "The Army that adapts fastest – wins. And the deeper change is cultural, not just technological." This reflects a major shift towards uncrewed and autonomous systems as core elements of land warfare.
Lessons from Ukraine and Defence Spending Concerns
The need for drone warfare, highlighted by the Ukraine war, was a key issue for former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, who quit his role after former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned. Both felt defence spending was insufficient.
The 20:40:40 Fighting System
General Walker will outline a 20:40:40 fighting system: 20% human fighters, 40% autonomous systems, and 40% firepower. He will explain: "We must pivot everyone hard to the '20:40:40' fighting system – the three rings of modern lethality." He will also emphasize that the UK's influence within NATO depends on the scale and credibility of its contribution, particularly by delivering forces capable of operating at the highest levels of warfighting.
