Hard-right think tank 878 Institute has released a military report calling for increased nuclear weapons funding

A hard-right think tank and a former military general with links to arms firms have released a report lobbying for nuclear weapons funding.

The report, fronted by former top general Richard Dannatt, was published by the 878 Institute. The ‘think tank’ subscribes to the same bizarre ‘civilisational’ ideology loved by AI billionaires. Its ‘head of defence’ is a former soldier linked to another reactionary ‘think tank’ — The Henry Jackson Society (HJS).

The 878 Institute published a new report on 1 August titled ‘Britain’s Military Deterrence Gaps’. Among other things, it warns that the UK’s nuclear weapons programme is being ‘hollowed out’.

The foreword was written by former chief of the UK military, General Sir Richard Dannatt. Dannatt was caught lobbying against the proscribed group Palestine Action on behalf of the arms firm Teledyne in 2025.

  • DarkCloud@lemmy.world
    1·
    2 months ago

    On such a small island, that might not be the best idea. It would be much easier for a country melting down to add you to their launch list as a bonus target.

    Perhaps there’s a Cuba-style benefit to the UK and allies having more coverage to hit Russia, but other than that what’s the benefit? Maintenance costs and becoming more of a target? Maybe feeling like a big boy and being able to goto meetings with other so-called nuclear powers?

    It’s probably a dumb idea. Unless you’re expecting to goto an entrenched and prolonged war with a non-nuclear nation state. But I don’t think the UK is expecting anything like that.