Britain must be prepared for an attack on its homeland

June 25, 2025, London - The British government released its latest national security strategy, sending a deafening warning to the outside world: the possibility of direct attack on the British mainland is rapidly increasing . The language of this strategic document is unusually tough, clearly pointing out that the hostile behavior of "hostile countries" such as Russia and Iran in and outside the UK is "increasingly radical", and the UK must be prepared for "wartime".

This is the first time since the end of the Cold War that the UK has publicly raised the possibility of an attack on its homeland in an official security assessment.

📉 'We are on the brink of war': UK government's central warning

The security document, published by the government of new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “For the first time in many years we must actively prepare for the possibility that the UK mainland could be under direct threat, or even in a wartime scenario.”

In his foreword, the Prime Minister wrote:

"The world has changed. Russian aggression threatens our continent... hostile state activity is taking place on British soil."

This argument almost echoes the warning of NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that "the British had better learn Russian ." At the just-concluded NATO summit in The Hague, the Starmer government also promised to increase the defense budget to 5% of GDP by 2035 .

🔥 Core Threat 1: Russia’s “hybrid warfare” is fully upgraded

The security strategy lists Russia as the biggest direct national threat currently facing the UK , and particularly emphasizes:

• Russia continues to launch cyber attacks and infrastructure sabotage against the UK and NATO member states ;

• Submarine cables are under “ongoing and growing threats”;

• Russia uses nuclear blackmail and cognitive warfare to try to undermine the decision-making power of Western countries.

It is reported that 99% of the UK's digital communications rely on undersea optical cables , and Russian submarines are constantly trying to interfere with and cut off these data lifelines.

🕵️ Core Threat 2: Iran’s “Shadow War” has entered the UK

The security report takes a rare step in highlighting that the Iranian regime is stepping up its espionage, surveillance and intimidation activities on British soil :

• the continued pursuit and intimidation of overseas dissidents ;

• an alliance with Russia to share “proxy warfare tools” against the West;

• poses a "complex and persistent threat".

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in the House of Commons that Iran's activities have "directly threatened the UK". Although the Prime Minister's Office has avoided this statement, the outside world generally believes that Iran has become a new type of opponent that cannot be ignored in the UK's domestic security .

🧊 Attitude towards China: No longer "naive", but still cautious

Although China is not directly defined as a “hostile state,” the strategic review acknowledges that:

• Chinese espionage, interference in British democracy and undermining of economic security are "on the rise"

• It emphasizes "reducing misunderstandings and strengthening engagement", but does not include China in the high-risk tier of the foreign influence registration program .

The opposition criticized the government for "losing the balance between national security and economic interests" and questioned whether it was too soft on China .

⚔️ National defense capability upgrade: drones, submarines and AI become the three major focuses

Before the strategic document was released, another defense review had already recommended:

• Strengthening local drone manufacturing capabilities ;

• expansion of the submarine fleet;

• Invest in the development of AI-driven military systems and intelligence tools.

All of these moves revolve around one core premise – that Britain needs to be prepared to fight a hybrid war “on its doorstep” .

🧠Comment summary: Farewell to the Cold War era, a warning for the era of total war?

In stark contrast to Boris Johnson’s government’s strategy four years ago, which focused on epidemic prevention and economic recovery, this security review document reflects an unprecedented sense of tension and strategic realism .

It sends three clear signals:

1. The era of the “peace dividend” is over , and the UK needs to give up its illusions and prepare for the worst;

2. Under the reshaping of geopolitics, Britain is no longer a safe island , and the battlefield of hostile forces may be on the London Underground or the North Sea cables;

3. The era of integration of diplomacy and national defense has arrived - information warfare, economic warfare, psychological warfare and actual military strikes are being carried out simultaneously.