Europe must prepare for war with Russia, the head of Nato has said. A conflict “on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured” is coming, Mark Rutte warned on Thursday. “We are Russia’s next target, and we are already in harm’s way”.

Yet years of underinvestment, shrinking personnel numbers, and ageing equipment have brought into doubt just how “ready” Britain would be for this war. While the commitment to rebuild industrial capacity and expand the armed forces is significant, it could take years to deliver. But Britain does not have years, if Mark Rutte’s comments are anything to go by.

Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood , former Colonel Tim Collins and British Army Officer Levison Wood all offer their perspectives as part of The i Paper’s new opini

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