SU-30SM, SU-35S, and SU-34 flying in formation - Sputnik International
Military
Get the latest defense news from around the world: breaking stories, photos, videos, in-depth analysis and much more...

Why So Hyperbolic? Reasons UK Defense Sec Said What He Said About Russia

© AP Photo / David MirzoeffGavin Williamson, right, outside the Ministry of Defence in London after he was named as the new Secretary of State for Defence following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon who admitted his behaviour had "fallen below the high standards required" in the role, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017.
Gavin Williamson, right, outside the Ministry of Defence in London after he was named as the new Secretary of State for Defence following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon who admitted his behaviour had fallen below the high standards required in the role, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
A couple of things to keep in mind when trying to make sense of the recent comments by UK Defense Sec regarding a potential Russian attack on British infrastructure that could kill "thousands": Gavin Williamson is new to the job, trying to align himself with more experienced counterparts and turns out not afraid to engage in overblown scenarios.

In a Thursday interview Williamson said that Russia was watching routes used to bring energy from Europe to Britain.

"Why would they keep photographing and looking at power stations, why are they looking at the interconnectors that bring so much electricity and so much energy into our country? They are looking at these things because they are saying, 'These are the ways we can hurt Britain'".

Although an experience politician, the current British Defense Sec had no military background at the moment of his appointment. Williamson was elected by the UK prime minister Theresa May to head Ministry of Defense in November last year, and the choice of his candidacy came somewhat as a surprise. 

READ MORE: Mr. Who? May Replaces Fallon as UK Defense Secretary With an Unknown Quantity

His most recent Russia comments come shortly after similar warnings by speech by UK Chief of the General Staff Nick Carter, who has over three decades of experience in British armed forces and who said on January 22 that Russia "could initiate hostilities sooner than we expect."

CC0 / / UK Chief of General Staff Gen. Nick Carter (File)
UK Chief of General Staff Gen. Nick Carter (File) - Sputnik International
UK Chief of General Staff Gen. Nick Carter (File)

The 'Russian threat' rhetoric is taking place amid continuous issues with the decline in UK defense expenditure and calls by politicians and military reps to up the spending. 

Sputnik discussed the matter with Anthony King, professor in war studies at Warwick University.

Sputnik: What could cause Williamson's allegations?

Professor Anthony King: On a theoretically level the Minister of Defense Gavin Williamson has a point and it is not inappropriate that he should mention them. However, there're a couple of caveats here. What he is talking about is a threat — that in the immediate sense is at the low level of likelihood and the potential of a 'thousands of deaths' is a very indirect one.

What he is envisaging there is the worst possible cyberattack, where the National Health Service (NHS) or some vital public facility in Britain would be taken down in the winter and there would subsequently be a health risk to the British population. The language that he uses and the reality — there is some hyperbole there. The question is why a capable politician potentially engaging in a hyperbole? I think you have got to line this up with the talk by the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) talk recently this week. Williamson is taking over the Ministry of Defense, which is a very serious position and the CGS's talk on Monday, where he articulated deep concerns about the capability of the British army to act as a deterrent and military defense force against any Russian incursions, should they occur.

You have got to put these two things together. Both the minister of defense and the CGS have aligned and highlighted the most extreme terms the real and immediate crisis which is beginning to be recognized in the Ministry of Defense and the Army in particular. When you put it in that term — yes, especially from a Russian angle, it seems overly aggressive and hyperbolic.

© REUTERS / Yiannis KourtoglouBritish Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson speaks to the media during a news conference in Nicosia
British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson speaks to the media during a news conference in Nicosia - Sputnik International
British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson speaks to the media during a news conference in Nicosia

Sputnik: What would you say are currently the top three concerns for the UK Defense Minister and the ministry itself?

Professor Anthony King: The top three concerns for the Defense Minister and the Ministry are budget, manning and Britain's military commitment internationally and globally — how within the resources and manpower limitations of the British forces does British army actually address ambitions of the UK and government policy of security and defense, it is not easy to achieve.

The spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense rebuked Williamson's remarks, calling them unreasonable and pointing out that the location of electric power plants and pipelines were as secret as "Westminster Abbey or Big Ben."

READ MORE: Russian MoD on UK Defense Minister's Claims: 'Beyond Common Sense'

The views and opinions expressed in the article are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала