General Sir Patrick Sanders, 58, delivered a farewell video message to his soldiers, emphasizing the escalating global crises and the crucial need for the UK to be prepared to “fight and win wars on land.”
In his message, General Sanders underscored the urgent requirement to modernize the UK armed forces, challenging the perspective of some insiders who believe that, as an island nation, the UK should focus more on its navy and air force. He highlighted the army’s current challenges, including outdated weapons and insufficient ammunition due to flawed procurement projects and funding shortfalls.
Despite these obstacles, General Sanders praised the army’s ability to maintain operational effectiveness with just over 72,000 troops, compared to its previous strength of 97,000. He noted their deployments worldwide, including defending NATO’s eastern flank in Estonia, as a significant achievement. “You will need to rebalance, creating space for modernization,” he stated in the six-minute video, which was posted internally and shared with Sky News by a defense source. “But, in the lee of Russia’s invasion [of Ukraine] and with the imperative to mobilize, our ability to generate this level of activity was both necessary and should be seen as a badge of honor.”
General Sanders, who officially stepped down on Friday, has been known for his candid remarks on the necessity of rebuilding the army amid growing international threats and years of budget cuts. He was also the first to suggest training civilians for future conflicts, a proposal initially dismissed by the Prime Minister’s office and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the entire military. However, national service later became a key element in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s re-election campaign.
While his farewell message avoided controversial topics, General Sanders highlighted the increasing potential for large-scale conflict. “As I hand over, the urgency and imperative of modernization is even more acute,” he said. “The trends and drivers for conflict are converging. Global crises are at risk of escalating and are increasingly interdependent.”
Emphasizing the need for credible land forces, General Sanders stated, “We know that people live on the land and land is where human affairs are settled.” He added that homeland defense for the UK has never started at the white cliffs of Dover, but requires an army capable of operating and fighting abroad, in collaboration with NATO allies.
The video, professionally edited with music and visuals of soldiers in action, offered an optimistic review of General Sanders’ tenure. He discussed efforts to support Ukraine against Russia, noting the army’s transfer of older weapons and armored vehicles to Ukraine—a move necessitating further investment in defense to replenish stockpiles.
General Sanders expressed gratitude to personnel who provided specialist support and advice, likely referring to those involved in NATO deterrence operations in Eastern Europe. He concluded with multiple expressions of thanks, quoting Sir Winston Churchill: “You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.” General Sanders added, “I couldn’t agree more and what I’ve found is that the army, you have given so much back. More than I’ve deserved or asked for.”
