'Public need to be better prepared for war'

"I don't believe there are any illusions in the government as to how urgent this matter [Middle East conflict] is… but I'm not entirely sure the public is there."

This is the warning from retired RAF officer and Tewkesbury MP, Cameron Thomas, who believes people do not understand how wars around the globe could soon have a larger impact on people in the UK.

"We need to prepare for it as a nation - not just as a government, but as a population," he added.

While he does not think conscription is imminently on the cards, he is concerned the general public is not fully aware or prepared for the effects of the latest war in the Middle East.

The Liberal Democrat is critical of the overall state of the Army, which he said is suffering from low morale and a lack of kit due to years of under investment.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said this government has overseen the biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War, with £270bn investment across this Parliament "ensuring no return to the hollowed out armed forces of the past".

Thomas said while Britain is a "well-equipped" nuclear power, we do not have enough of our world-class resources.

"I'm not convinced we are adequately prepared for an active conflict," he said.

"We need to rearm today.

"We need more artillery, we need more rounds, more drone capability and anti-drone capability. The question is where does that money come from?"

The UK currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defence, and it plans to increase this to 3.5% over the next decade.

It comes as wider NATO allies have made a commitment to reach 5% over the same period after pressure from American President, Donald Trump.

The time it has taken for the navy to arrive in Cyprus after an Iranian-made-drone hit British base RAF Akrotiri on 2 March has raised more than a few eyebrows.

Our blushes have been made more acute by the fact France and Germany arrived in the region ahead of the UK.

It is perhaps not surprising though when the numbers are taken in to consideration.

Naval vessels have decreased by 76 since the Falklands War, and serving personnel have reduced from 65,000 to just over 32,000 in the same period.

For members of the Gloucester Model Boat Club, the situation is worrying.

"We should be one of the biggest navies in the world, we're an island, we rely on a navy," said Michael Lane.

Founding member Edward Tedaldi said our naval decline is "very poor" and claims it has been "going on for years".

For retired Commander, Tom Sharpe, the current capacity of the navy is a source of disappointment, something which he describes as "corroded" and "wafer-thin".

"We've lost our mass," he said.

"It's not just platforms, it's the logistics chain, it's the accommodation, it's the whole piece."

An MoD spokesperson said the government is in the process of creating a "hybrid navy" through the current Strategic Defence Review.

They added: "We have deployed HMS Dragon, equipped with the cutting-edge Sea Viper missile system which can take down drones and missiles, to play a vital role in safeguarding UK assets and interests in the Middle East."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.