Admiral Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, has issued a stark warning that the world is on the brink of a 'third nuclear age,' marked by complex challenges and reduced safeguards.

He explained that the first nuclear age was defined by the Cold War's deterrence strategy between the US and the Soviet Union, while the second age focused on disarmament efforts following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The situation has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of both Russia and the United States from several key arms control treaties, leaving the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty as the only remaining agreement, which is set to expire in 2026.

Radakin characterized the current nuclear landscape as more intricate than during the Cold War, where a balance of power existed between two superpowers and international efforts aimed to limit nuclear proliferation.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has escalated nuclear threats, including threats of nuclear retaliation against the US and its allies.

Radakin highlighted the deployment of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces near Ukraine as a significant development, warning of potential further military cooperation between the two nations.

He categorized the global landscape into three groups: authoritarian states that challenge global norms, responsible nations seeking stability, and countries that navigate between the two for advantage.

Radakin emphasized the importance of maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent, asserting it plays a crucial role in influencing Putin's actions and is a vital aspect of the UK's military capabilities.

In light of these threats, the U.K. government is currently conducting a strategic defense review, with findings expected in the first half of 2025, to reassess military staffing and equipment needs.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has clarified that the return of nuclear weapons to Ukraine is not part of America's military assistance strategy, indicating a cautious approach to nuclear proliferation.

Radakin concluded by stressing the need for global resolve to prevent nuclear war, warning that the risk of tragedy is increasing as the world becomes more dangerous.