The Crisis Room From Marine to Minister: Al Carns exclusive
Nov 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Al Carns, a decorated former Royal Marine turned UK Minister for the Armed Forces, shares his journey from military service to politics. He dives into the challenges of modern defence policy, including the need to protect veterans from unfair prosecutions and the importance of increasing defence spending. Carns also discusses the implications of the Ukraine conflict and the integration of technology in military operations. With candid insights, he emphasizes the necessity for societal resilience and improved recruitment processes.
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High‑Low Mix Is The Future Of Warfare
- Ukraine is accelerating changes in the character of conflict, forcing integration of high-end platforms with low-cost autonomous systems.
- Carns warns we must learn correct lessons from Ukraine while building long-term fifth/sixth-generation capabilities.
Backfill While Enabling Ukraine
- Supplying Ukraine can be cheaper and more effective than waiting for threats to reach NATO territory.
- Artillery, autonomous systems and software must be procured as a balanced package, not single platforms in isolation.
Reform Procurement To Move Faster
- Shake down bureaucracy to increase accountability and speed decision-making in defence procurement.
- The ministerial team is actively reforming the MOD to deliver capabilities faster.