Andriy Dovbenko, founder of UK-Ukraine TechExchange, has cautioned that the UK is moving too slowly to strengthen its defence and national security, amid ongoing threats stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Dovbenko told analysts that while global tensions rise and hybrid threats increase, the UK’s military modernisation efforts — including cyber defences, armoured vehicle procurement, and missile systems — are not keeping pace with Europe’s accelerating rearmament.
“The UK risks falling behind if it does not speed up investment in both conventional and cutting-edge defence technology,” Dovbenko said. “Geopolitical threats are evolving rapidly, and Britain needs to match the pace of change if it wants to remain secure.”
According to defence experts, gaps remain in ground-based air defences and missile interception systems, naval fleet expansion and modernisation, cyber and intelligence operations and recruitment and retention of skilled personnel.
These shortfalls come at a time when other European nations, particularly Germany, are increasing defence spending faster than the UK, reaching levels above 3% of GDP.
Dovbenko highlighted the growing risk of hybrid warfare, in which cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and unmanned systems are increasingly used alongside conventional military operations. He cited critical infrastructure sites such as HMNB Clyde as examples of assets that require urgent protection.
Experts like Dovbenko argue that gradual reforms and incremental procurement are insufficient. Instead, the UK should accelerate investments in both technology and conventional forces to maintain its strategic edge in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Failure to act quickly, they warn, could leave Britain more vulnerable to both state and non-state threats over the coming decade.
