LONDON — Britain is developing a new national plan to prepare for a potential transition to war, requiring coordination across the military, government, industry, and the public, the head of the country’s armed forces said on Friday.In an interview with Sky News, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton said the updated strategy would revive elements of the historic “war book” system while adapting it to modern threats.Knighton said the plan would encourage a shift in how the country approaches resilience, warning that decades of relative peace can no longer be taken for granted.“That requires us to educate ourselves and help the population understand some of those threats,” he said, adding that civilians may need to play a more active role in supporting national defense.The initiative, led by the Cabinet Office, aims to ensure that critical infrastructure — including energy, water, and transport — can withstand both natural disasters and hostile actions.The original “war book” framework, first developed during World War I and maintained through the Cold War, outlined how Britain would mobilize society during crises, from deploying armed forces to rationing supplies. It was phased out in the early 2000s following the collapse of the Soviet Union.Knighton said the renewed effort reflects growing concerns over global instability and the need to strengthen preparedness across military and civilian sectors.Earlier this week, former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned that the UK is currently unable to defend against long-range Iranian missiles and accused ministers of downplaying the threat.Speaking to a radio station, Wallace stressed the need for greater public awareness and preparedness, drawing comparisons to Cold War-era planning.“It’s the bigger point. It’s the point about this readiness … leveling with the public that we’re going to have to think differently,” he said.LONDON — Britain is developing a new national plan to prepare for a potential transition to war, requiring coordination across the military, government, industry, and the public, the head of the country’s armed forces said on Friday.In an interview with Sky News, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton said the updated strategy would revive elements of the historic “war book” system while adapting it to modern threats.Knighton said the plan would encourage a shift in how the country approaches resilience, warning that decades of relative peace can no longer be taken for granted.“That requires us to educate ourselves and help the population understand some of those threats,” he said, adding that civilians may need to play a more active role in supporting national defense.The initiative, led by the Cabinet Office, aims to ensure that critical infrastructure — including energy, water, and transport — can withstand both natural disasters and hostile actions.The original “war book” framework, first developed during World War I and maintained through the Cold War, outlined how Britain would mobilize society during crises, from deploying armed forces to rationing supplies. It was phased out in the early 2000s following the collapse of the Soviet Union.Knighton said the renewed effort reflects growing concerns over global instability and the need to strengthen preparedness across military and civilian sectors.Earlier this week, former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned that the UK is currently unable to defend against long-range Iranian missiles and accused ministers of downplaying the threat.Speaking to a radio station, Wallace stressed the need for greater public awareness and preparedness, drawing comparisons to Cold War-era planning.“It’s the bigger point. It’s the point about this readiness … leveling with the public that we’re going to have to think differently,” he said.
