BAE Systems Chief Warns UK Is Complacent About War Threat

BAE Systems chief executive Dr Charles Woodburn warned the UK has been too complacent about the risk of foreign attack and said the threat level was the highest he has seen in his lifetime, according to BBC. He said much more defence spending would be needed to meet the government’s goal of lifting spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, and warned that autonomous lethal weapons are close at hand as Russia and Ukraine use drones and counter-drones more effectively. At the Farnborough International Airshow, BAE Systems unveiled a life-size model of an unmanned fighter jet and said four Collaborative Combat Aircraft could accompany a manned fighter at about 20% of the cost of a piloted aircraft. Woodburn also defended BAE’s response to the mobilisation of the destroyer HMS Dragon and welcomed former defence secretary John Healey’s move to Chancellor, saying he understood defence funding needs. BBC reported that defence shares rose on the news of Healey’s promotion.