A senior officer within the British Army has expressed strong criticism of the organization’s current state, labeling it the “laughing stock” of Europe. This remark emphasizes concerns over the army’s reliance on outdated weaponry that reportedly falls short against modern threats, particularly those equipped with advanced body armor.
The officer, who spoke to The Times under conditions of anonymity, highlighted the L115A3 sniper rifle as a prime example of the British Army’s aging arsenal. Approximately 500 of these sniper rifles are still in use, even as other European military forces have upgraded to more modern models, prompting disbelief among foreign snipers at the UK’s continued reliance on such antiquated equipment.
“The Europeans used to love all of our kit. But now, [they] laugh at it,” the officer remarked, indicating a significant shift in perception regarding the UK’s military capabilities. He observed that the British Army has “fallen far behind the curve” in terms of effective weaponry to match evolving combat requirements.
Further criticizing the army’s standard-issue assault rifle, the SA-80, which has been in deployment for over forty years, a second source elaborated that this firearm has seen minimal advancements since its inception in the 1980s. Specifically, the SA-80 was originally designed to penetrate the Russian helmets of that era, which are now obsolete. Current Russian forces have adopted advanced armor providing “level 4” protection, leaving the average British soldier at a severe disadvantage. “Your average [British] soldier wouldn’t be able to defeat it, not even close,” the source asserted.
The commentary also touched on ammunition, with the observation that allied forces—including the US Army—have transitioned to increasingly lethal 6.8mm caliber rounds, which outclass the 5.56mm ammunition used in the SA-80. A 2017 report from a US Senate committee, submitted by the late Major General Robert Scales, corroborated concerns over the inefficacy of the 5.56mm round against modern Russian body armor.
In defense of the SA-80, a spokesperson from the UK Ministry of Defence acknowledged that the rifle has undergone upgrades in recent years, asserting that it has become “one of the most accurate service rifles.” Nonetheless, the criticism from various military personnel signals an urgent need for the British Army to reassess its equipment and modernization efforts in light of evolving threats on the battlefield.
