The meaning of 'first rate' depends on the comparison. If the United States is the benchmark, virtually every other country's forces become second rate. Britain historically maintained a small, highly trained army alongside a navy that demanded industrial infrastructure and technological investment. The Netherlands is offered as another capable power that must choose priorities as its strategic situation changes. A rough estimate puts the defence budget needed for first-rate capability across every service at around four times its existing level, funded through taxes, borrowing, or reductions elsewhere. The proposed alternative is a smaller, highly trained army supported by naval and air forces capable of moving it where policy requires.
Notable Point · 3:32:30-3:36:25
First-rate forces depend on the comparison
Whether Britain is a second-rate power depends on the benchmark, its national needs, and the capabilities in which it chooses to specialize.