News
British army is ‘laughing stock’ of NATO
The British army is said to be the ‘laughing stock’ of NATO because its outdated rifles wouldn’t be able to kill Russian or Chinese soldiers in advanced body armour.
The army still uses the L115A3 ‘sniper’ rifle, while other armed forces had updated to the same company’s AX models, which are lighter and enable soldiers to see further in the distance, according to a serving senior officer.
‘The Europeans used to love all of our kit but now laugh at it,’ the officer told the Times.
They said that snipers from a NATO ally in eastern Europe was ‘mind blown’ by the UK still using the old rifles.
About 500 snipers in the British army have a L115A3 rifle and they feel underfunded and neglected, according to the officer, who added that the UK had ‘fallen far behind the curve as far as capability goes’.
Units other than snipers face similar issues. The SA-80 standard infantry rifle, which has been used by British soldiers for four decades, has reportedly not changed much since the 1980s.
The SA-80 uses a 5.56mm round, which is the NATO standard, and the rifle was designed to pierce through old Russian helmets that are not in usage anymore, a second source said, adding that the rifle was ‘heavy and clunky’.
They also said the SA-80 – of which 150,000 are believed to be currently in service – was one of the ‘least updated’ rifles that wasn’t even made by others anymore.
Other allies like the US army were instead using a different ammunition calibre, a 6.8mm round – which is considered more lethal than the 5.56mm – in combination with XM7 and XM250 rifles by US firearms specialist Sig Sauer.
The army is reportedly using the L115A3 ‘sniper’ rifle (pictured), while other armed forces had updated to the same company’s AX models, which are lighter and enable soldiers to see further in the distance
The SA-80 standard infantry rifle (pictured), which has been used by British soldiers for four decades, has reportedly not changed much since the 1980s
Meanwhile, Russian body armour has improved and its latest kit for infantry soldiers includes ‘level 4’ armour designed to withstand fire from a Russian 7.62mm rifle
‘Your average [British] soldier wouldn’t be able to defeat it, not even close,’ the source told the Times.
The SA-80, which has been updated over the last four decades, including an update in 2020, is reportedly set to be replaced as part of Project Grayburn, which is currently still in the concept phase.
The 5.56mm round used in the SA-80 ‘can’t defeat Russian body armour, and it’s easily outranged by the latest Russian small arms,’ late US Major General Robert Scales told a Senate hearing in 2017.
In 2020, this was followed up by General Mark Milley, the US army’s chief of staff at the time.
He said that the 5.56mm was not able to penetrate ‘a type of body armour’, adding that ‘adversarial states’ were selling this online.
The Times’ source said that the US introducing the 6.8mm hybrid round could mean that NATO allies might struggle to share rounds on the battlefield in the future.
They said that even though this was known, the ammunition switch was made ‘for good reason’ as the 5.56mm was now ‘obsolete’ against modern body armour, according to the source.
The 5.56mm round (pictured) used in the SA-80 ‘can’t defeat Russian body armour, and it’s easily outranged by the latest Russian small arms,’ late US Major General Robert Scales told a Senate hearing in 2017
The Ministry of Defence was ‘behind the curve’ in terms of switching to better and more efficient rounds for battlefield rifles, according to Robert Clark, who works as a research fellow at the Yorktown Institute think tank in Washington DC (file image of the SA-80)
The Ministry of Defence was ‘behind the curve’ in terms of switching to better and more efficient rounds for battlefield rifles, according to Robert Clark, who works as a research fellow at the Yorktown Institute think tank in Washington DC.
Clark said the idea behind smaller ammunition had the advantage of being more likely to wound soldiers rather than kill them, which means that it would remove soldiers involved in casualty extraction.
But he added that in recent conflicts fighters like those from Russia have been ‘less concerned’ about saving the wounded, which would make smaller, less lethal rounds ‘less useful’.
The 5.56mm round was ‘almost useless’ against the Russians and Chinese, according to Clark.
The British army source told the Times that the issues UK soldiers were facing were ‘swept under the carpet’ while the MoD was portraying that the military was ready for war.
An MoD spokesperson said in a statement that the SA-80 had been upgraded ‘in recent years’, adding that it was ‘one of the most accurate service rifles’ currently in use all over the world.
The spokeswoman also said that the 5.56mm rounds were ‘tried and tested’ as well as the Nato standard, which ensured ‘interoperability among allied forces’.
Of the noble men and women who stood firm for our liberty and freedom from repressive colonial subjugation, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is the last man standing. Born a hundred years ago in Kano City, Alhaji Yakasai exemplifies a purposeful life, carving out a meaningful legacy despite humble beginnings.
Disturbed by the injustice and maltreatment he witnessed under colonial rule, he chose to join the fight for Nigeria’s liberation. As a young man, Baba Yakasai channelled his energy into the struggle for the emancipation of his people and the rest of the country as a freedom fighter, journalist, and frontline political activist.
His activism led him to join hands with comrades in the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), led by the visionary radical Mallam Aminu Kano. Through NEPU, Yakasai and his co-travellers launched a massive awakening campaign in Northern Nigeria, igniting the fire for the Independence struggle.
In the aftermath of Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, Yakasai maintained an abiding faith in the country and its development. He played several significant roles, including serving as State Commissioner in Kano under Military Governor Audu Bako and as Special Assistant on National Assembly Liaison to President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic.
In both youth and old age, Yakasai remains a shining example of commitment to Nigeria. He is a consensus builder who consistently weighs in on the side of national cohesion, peaceful coexistence, and democratic consolidation.
In celebrating Baba Yakasai today, I am not only celebrating the man and his personal achievements, but also a century of dedicated service to freedom and democracy and many years of supporting me and the progressive cause.
I am pleased to join family, friends and associates to celebrate the life and commitment of Alhaji Tanko Yakasai as he turns 100 on December 5.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 4, 2025
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s security, saying he feels perfectly safe during his visit to the country. His remarks come amid ongoing reports of insecurity in various parts of Nigeria, making his statement a notable endorsement of the nation’s stability in certain regions.
Johnson made the declaration on Thursday, December 4, 2025, while addressing participants at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri, the state capital. He acknowledged having read travel advisories and news reports highlighting security concerns prior to his trip but said his experience has been reassuring.
He said he feels perfectly safe in the country and emphasized that the summit environment and local hospitality contributed to his sense of security. He also asked the audience if they felt safe, receiving an enthusiastic affirmation.
During his visit, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Imo State Government for their development initiatives, particularly efforts to provide 24-hour electricity. He highlighted the potential of Nigeria as a hub for innovation and economic growth, noting the opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
While his statements have been welcomed by some as a boost to international confidence in Nigeria, analysts caution that the former prime minister’s experience reflects only a controlled and secure environment within Imo State. Several parts of the country continue to face challenges, including banditry, communal conflicts, and kidnappings.
Nonetheless, Johnson’s visit and remarks are significant, sending a positive message to investors and global observers about Nigeria’s potential for stability and progress. They also underscore the contrast between localized experiences of safety and broader security challenges across the country.
By Emmanuel Iheaka, OWERRI
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has assured Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that his group will be one of the biggest investors in the state.
Dangote gave the assurance at the opening session of the Imo Economic Summit 2025 in Owerri on Thursday.
The renowned Africa’s industrialist urged Uzodimma to indicate his preferred area of investment and forget the rest.
Dangote described the Imo governor as a personal friend of decades and commended him for providing enabling environment for investment.
“We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo. So, please tell me the area to invest and we will invest”, Dangote declared.
He called on entrepreneurs to always invest at home, adding that foreigners cannot drive the economy of any nation more than the nationals.
“What attracts foreign investors is a domestic investor. Africa has about 30 percent of the world’s minerals. We are blessed,” he submitted.
Dangote reiterated that his refinery was set to launch 1.4 million barrels per day capacity, the highest for any single refinery in the world.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
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Boris Johnson Says He Feels “Perfectly Safe” in Nigeria, Praises Imo State’s Progress
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