Questions raised over stretched British Army's ability to deploy troops to Ukraine

On Tuesday, 6 January, the UK and France signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is agreed with Russia. 

But the British Army is already stretched, with 30,000 fewer soldiers than it had at the height of operations in Afghanistan. 

This raises an obvious question: Can such a plan – one that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said would "establish military hubs across Ukraine" – really work? 

• Ukraine Battlefield Brief: Find out what's been happening on the frontline
• British troops would be deployed to support Ukraine not fight Russia, Lord Ricketts says
• Peacekeeper plan for Ukraine could see British troops fighting Russians, warns ex-general

BFBS Forces News spoke to Justin Crump, a former British Army tank commander, who gave his insights on the decision, including how the UK may operate more cheaply and safely, and what role the deployed contingent might play.