London - Britain's armed forces risk falling behind Russia without more investment, the head of the Army will say. General Sir Nick Carter will say the British Army's ability to respond to threats "will be eroded if we don't keep up with our adversaries".


The speech - approved by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson - comes amid speculation of potential defence cuts. The warning comes after Russia practised simulated attacks across northern Europe.

In the speech, which will take place at the Royal United Services Institute on Monday, Gen Carter will highlight Russia's new cyber warfare capabilities. The Russian army conducted large scale military exercises last year, including simulated attacks across northern Europe, from Kaliningrad to Lithuania.


Gen Carter will also highlight the Russian army's long-range missile strike capability. While Russian forces were intervening in Syria, 26 missiles were deployed from a 1,500km (930 mile) range.


He will add that Russia is building an increasingly aggressive expeditionary force, which already boasts capabilities the British Army would struggle to match. Potential military threats to the UK "are now on Europe's doorstep," Gen Carter will say.


Last year Prime Minister Theresa May said Russia had "mounted a sustained campaign of cyber espionage and disruption" against other nations.
Former Royal Navy Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry said the British military had fallen a long way behind Russia's capabilities.


He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "I think in qualitative terms we would fare very badly, whether it was the Army, navy or air force against current Russian capabilities. "I'm afraid to say the world is changing, it's moving. The Russians - and the Chinese - are developing capabilities right now with which we cannot cope today."(FA)