Streeting warns UK must prepare for 'state-sponsored terrorism' from hostile states

Defence secretary calls for national conversation on resilience against hybrid warfare and natural disasters

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Updated22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has warned that Britain must prepare for what he terms 'state-sponsored terrorism' by hostile powers targeting everyday infrastructure, as he called for a national conversation on resilience against hybrid warfare threats, cyber-attacks and natural disasters.

Speaking at a new tank gun barrel factory in Telford owned by German manufacturer Rheinmetall, Streeting said the public should consider how to respond to hybrid warfare risks such as cyber-attacks that could knock out payment systems or cause supply chains to collapse. He also pointed to natural risks including flooding and wildfires.

Streeting argued that terms like 'hybrid warfare' and 'grey zone threats' do not accurately convey the danger to the general public. 'So in the face of those threats, which are not hypothetical but real, and not somewhere else but increasingly here, we have to step up and take seriously our national resilience as well as our national defence,' he said.

His comments come amid growing European alarm over sabotage efforts by adversaries, particularly Russia. Incidents have included an explosives-laden drone found next to a Ukrainian cargo plane at Germany's Leipzig airport in August, and a series of unexplained explosions and fires at defence facilities across Europe.

The Telford factory is part of efforts to accelerate rearmament in the face of Russian military threats. Streeting indicated that Chancellor John Healey will set out plans to increase military spending to 3.5% of GDP in next year's spending review. The government had already signalled in August that UK citizens will be advised to stock up on tinned food and take other steps to prepare for national emergencies.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Streeting's language marks a deliberate shift towards framing hybrid threats as a clear and present danger requiring public vigilance, potentially leading to new government advice on household preparedness.
The emphasis on infrastructure attacks, including cyber-attacks on payment systems, highlights vulnerabilities that could disrupt daily life for businesses and consumers.
The promised increase in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, if delivered, would be a major commitment with significant implications for the national budget and other public services.

Background

The UK government has been increasingly vocal about the threat of hybrid warfare from hostile states, particularly Russia, amid a series of suspected sabotage incidents across Europe. Streeting's speech at the Rheinmetall factory in Telford underscores the government's dual focus on rearming the military and building civilian resilience. The government first indicated in August that it plans to issue public guidance on emergency preparedness, including stockpiling supplies.

Key Perspectives

UK Government (Wes Streeting): Argues that 'state-sponsored terrorism' is a more accurate term for hybrid warfare and that the public, businesses and households must be ready to respond to attacks on infrastructure. He ties this directly to the need for increased defence spending and accelerated rearmament. European Allies: Have repeatedly warned about Russian sabotage operations, including the Leipzig drone incident and suspicious fires at defence sites, providing the broader context for Streeting's remarks and the urgency behind them.

What to Watch

The upcoming budget and next year's spending review, where the government is expected to detail the path to 3.5% of GDP defence spending.
Any new public information campaigns or official guidance on emergency preparedness for households and businesses.
Further suspected sabotage incidents in Europe, which could intensify the perceived threat and accelerate resilience measures.

Sources

Streeting launches new push to prepare UK for emergencies and hostile acts · Sky News UK
UK must prepare for infrastructure attacks by hostile states, says Streeting · World news | The Guardian
UK must prepare for infrastructure attacks by hostile states, says Streeting · UK news | The Guardian

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

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SupportedStreeting warned that the UK must prepare for “state-sponsored terrorism” from hostile states.UK news | The Guardian: “Britain should prepare for the threat of “state-sponsored terrorism” by hostile powers targeting everyday infrastructure”
SupportedStreeting called for a national conversation on resilience against hybrid warfare, cyber-attacks and natural disasters.UK news | The Guardian: “as part of a national conversation about resilience in the face of emergencies. He said on Thursday the public should consider how to respond to hybrid warfare risks, such as cyber-attacks”
SupportedStreeting said hostile powers could target everyday infrastructure.UK news | The Guardian: “Britain should prepare for the threat of “state-sponsored terrorism” by hostile powers targeting everyday infrastructure”
Partly supportedCyber-attacks could knock out payment systems or cause supply chains to collapse.UK news | The Guardian: “cyber-attacks that could knock out payment systems used by businesses or cause supply chains to collapse.”
SupportedStreeting said: “So in the face of those threats, which are not hypothetical but real, and not somewhere else but increasingly here, we have to step up and take seriously our national resilience as well as our national defence.”UK news | The Guardian: ““So in the face of those threats, which are not hypothetical but real, and not somewhere else but increasingly here, we have to step up and take seriously our national resilience as well as our national defence.””
SupportedStreeting spoke at a new tank gun barrel factory in Telford owned by Rheinmetall.UK news | The Guardian: “Streeting was speaking at a new tank gun barrel factory in Telford in the West Midlands. The factory, owned by the German manufacturer Rheinmetall”
Partly supportedEuropean alarm over sabotage by adversaries, particularly Russia, is growing.UK news | The Guardian: “European states have become increasingly vocal about the threat of sabotage efforts by enemies, particularly Russia”
Partly supportedA series of unexplained explosions and fires occurred at defence facilities across Europe.UK news | The Guardian: “a series of unexplained explosions and fires at defence facilities.”
SupportedStreeting said Chancellor John Healey would set out plans to raise military spending to 3.5% of GDP in next year’s spending review.UK news | The Guardian: “The defence secretary said Healey would set out plans to increase military spending to 3.5% of GDP in next year’s spending review.”
SupportedThe government indicated in August that UK citizens would be advised to stock up on tinned food for national emergencies.UK news | The Guardian: “The government indicated in August that UK citizens will be told to stock up on tinned food and take other steps to prepare for national emergencies.”