The war in the Gulf has revealed significant shortcomings in the UK's military capabilities, prompting concerns about the country's defence readiness. Former NATO Secretary General George Robertson has criticized Labour leader Keir Starmer for his perceived complacency regarding defence, arguing it jeopardizes the UK's security. In response, the UK government is addressing decades of underinvestment by planning the largest increase in defence spending since the Cold War, targeting 3.5% of GDP by 2035. The British Army's size has dwindled from 155,000 troops in 1991 to just 75,000 today, raising alarms among defence analysts about the military's ability to respond effectively to modern threats. Experts like Matthew Savill from the Royal United Services Institute emphasize the need for remedial work to adapt land forces to future combat scenarios. Additionally, the UK's reliance on allies, particularly the US, for certain military capabilities poses risks. As European nations like Poland ramp up their defence budgets in response to security challenges, the UK’s commitment to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 is seen as ambitious but necessary.