Angus was unvieled today (Image: Getty)
Russian warplanes straying into Nato airspace would be shot down, Reform UK’s new defence spokesman has said, as Nigel Farage unveiled his new wingman. Battle-hardened veteran Angus MacIntyre, who spent years at the heart of Britain’s efforts to help Ukraine, said the party would back such action as part of a Nato coalition.
The new defence spokesman said: “We would shoot down Russian aircraft that were inside NATO airspace.” He also urged Britain to “do more” for Kyiv, warning that years of poorly funded defence meant the country was running out of kit to send. His appointment is a major coup for Reform, as Mr Farage seeks to stuff his top team with experts from outside Westminster. Speaking at a rally in central London, Mr MacIntyre was challenged over Mr Farage’s past remarks on Russia.
Mr MacIntyre told reporters: “We have reached a point where we’re running out of things that we can give them. So the question is, well what else? That comes in this form of leadership, additional support, reinvigoration of NATO and working through coalitions of other nations”.
He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was “protecting Europe”, adding “that’s something we should take seriously and we should join as much as we can and continue to support them and leadership the way forward.”
Mr MacIntyre began his military career in 1986, spending 13 years as an officer in the 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, with tours alongside the Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment.
In 1999 he joined the RAF Regiment, serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq and Somalia, and later spent a year embedded inside the Pentagon.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he helped coordinate Britain’s support and made regular trips to Kyiv. He was awarded a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for his work there.
Zelensky was “protecting Europe” say Reform (Image: Getty)
Mr MacIntyre accused both main parties of leaving “our armed forces under severe pressure”.
He said: “The cuts during the Brown and Blair years took chunks from the ranks of all three services.
“The Conservatives promised to fix it, but over their 14 years in government, they oversaw a further decline in our military power.”
Mr Farage said: “Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined.”
Speaking at the time of his announcement, Labour took aim at the length of time it had taken to make the appointment.
Luke Pollard MP said: “Reform has treated defence as an afterthought – but in this volatile world, there are no second chances. Nigel Farage simply can’t be trusted to keep Britain safe.”
Nigel Farage’s Tough New Defence Chief Issues Shocking Warning to Vladimir Putin
The security of the United Kingdom has become one of the most important issues in British politics, particularly as tensions between Russia and Western countries continue to increase. Against this background, Nigel Farage has made a significant move by appointing experienced military officer Angus MacIntyre as Reform UK’s new armed forces spokesman. His arrival has attracted considerable attention, especially after he delivered a direct warning to Vladimir Putin: Russian military aircraft entering NATO airspace should be shot down. The statement represents a tougher position on national security and raises important questions about Britain’s military preparedness, its relationship with NATO and the future of European security.
MacIntyre’s appointment comes at a time when Reform UK is attempting to demonstrate that it can offer a credible alternative to the established political parties. Farage has frequently criticised successive governments for failing to maintain Britain’s military capabilities. He argues that the armed forces have experienced years of underinvestment, leaving the country less prepared to respond to modern security threats. By bringing an experienced military professional into his political team, Farage hopes to strengthen his party’s defence credentials and demonstrate that national security will become a central priority.
Angus MacIntyre brings considerable military experience to the position. He began his military career in 1986, serving as an officer in the British Army before joining the RAF Regiment in 1999. During his career, he served in several international operations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Somalia. He also spent time working within the Pentagon and subsequently helped coordinate British support for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. His work included regular visits to Kyiv and cooperation with international partners. He received a commendation from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for his contribution.
His professional background gives his comments considerable significance in the political debate. Unlike politicians whose experience is primarily parliamentary, MacIntyre has worked directly within military organisations and international defence structures. His appointment suggests that Reform UK wants to place greater emphasis on practical military knowledge when developing its national security policies.
The most striking part of his intervention concerned Russian aircraft entering NATO airspace. MacIntyre stated: “We would shoot down Russian aircraft that were inside NATO airspace.” He made clear that such action would be considered in the context of a wider NATO coalition rather than as an isolated British operation. His comments reflect the seriousness with which military planners view potential violations of allied airspace, particularly when such incidents could threaten the safety of aircraft, military personnel and civilian populations.
Russia’s military activities have become a major concern for European governments since the invasion of Ukraine. NATO members have reported incidents involving Russian aircraft approaching or entering allied airspace, prompting military interceptions and increased surveillance. Such encounters are particularly sensitive because any miscalculation could escalate into a much wider international confrontation.
NATO operates a collective defence system under Article 5 of its founding treaty. This principle establishes that an armed attack against one member may be considered an attack against all members. Although the exact response depends on the circumstances and decisions of individual allies, the commitment is intended to discourage aggression and protect the security of the alliance.
However, the use of military force against Russian aircraft would carry serious consequences. Governments must distinguish between deliberate hostile action, accidental violations and situations in which aircraft pose an immediate threat. A decision to shoot down an aircraft could trigger diplomatic retaliation or even military escalation. Therefore, any such response would require careful assessment, communication between allies and compliance with international law.
MacIntyre also argued that Britain should increase its support for Ukraine. He described the Ukrainian president and armed forces as playing an important role in protecting European security. His position is that Britain should continue providing military assistance and work more closely with NATO partners to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself against Russian aggression.
Ukraine’s ability to resist the Russian invasion has become a central issue for European security. Many Western governments believe that allowing Russia to achieve its territorial objectives through military force could encourage further aggression elsewhere. Supporting Ukraine is therefore viewed not only as assistance to an individual country but also as an investment in the wider European security system.
Nevertheless, military assistance must be supported by a sustainable strategy. Britain needs to ensure that weapons and equipment supplied to Ukraine do not leave its own armed forces without sufficient resources. The government must balance immediate support for Kyiv with the requirement to maintain credible defence capabilities at home.
MacIntyre has been particularly critical of successive British governments over the condition of the armed forces. He accused Labour and the Conservatives of contributing to a long-term decline in military strength. According to his assessment, defence reductions under previous Labour governments weakened the armed forces, while the Conservatives failed to reverse the deterioration during their 14 years in office.
These criticisms reflect wider concerns about Britain’s military readiness. The armed forces face challenges involving recruitment, retention, equipment availability and the maintenance of existing military capabilities. Modern defence requires significant investment in technology, intelligence, cyber security, naval capabilities and air defence. Without adequate funding and effective long-term planning, even a country with substantial military experience may struggle to respond to increasingly complex threats.
Farage has strongly supported MacIntyre’s criticism, arguing that his experience exceeds that of the government’s defence team. He believes that Britain needs specialists who understand the practical realities of military operations rather than relying exclusively on career politicians. His wider objective is to attract people with professional experience into government and use their knowledge to develop more effective policies.
The appointment has also created a political challenge for Farage himself. His previous comments about Putin have been repeatedly raised by opponents who question his approach to Russia. Farage has previously described Putin as a capable political operator, while also expressing opposition to his actions. More recently, he has stated that he considers the Russian president a major threat to Britain and Western Europe.
The controversy intensified following reports about comments Farage made shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He rejected the suggestion that he had justified Putin’s actions and described the accusations as false. Nevertheless, his political opponents continue to argue that his earlier statements raise questions about his consistency on Russian foreign policy.
MacIntyre’s appointment and his public warning may therefore serve two purposes. First, they establish a more clearly defined defence position for Reform UK. Second, they demonstrate that the party intends to distance itself from accusations that it is insufficiently critical of Moscow. Whether this change will persuade sceptical voters remains an open political question.
On 14 November 2026, Reform UK also announced a wider national security review identifying Russia as Britain’s most serious immediate state threat. The review highlighted concerns about cyberattacks, espionage, threats to undersea infrastructure and attempts to undermine Western security. It also addressed the challenges posed by China, Iran and extremist organisations. These developments suggest that Reform wants to expand its defence policy beyond military spending and focus on the broader security environment.
However, identifying threats is only the beginning. A credible national security strategy must explain how the government intends to respond, what resources are required and how military capabilities will be maintained. Britain must also work closely with NATO allies because modern security threats cannot be addressed effectively through isolated national action.
The government faces a difficult balancing act. Increasing defence spending is important, but public money is limited and must also support healthcare, education, housing and other essential services. The challenge is to establish a sustainable military budget that provides sufficient resources without creating unnecessary pressure on the wider economy.
Ultimately, the appointment of Angus MacIntyre represents an important development in Reform UK’s approach to defence. His warning to Putin has brought the party’s position on Russian aggression into sharper focus and highlighted the seriousness of the security challenges facing Britain. It has also renewed debate about military preparedness, NATO cooperation and the responsibilities of political leaders in an increasingly unstable international environment.
In conclusion, Nigel Farage’s decision to appoint an experienced military figure and adopt a tougher public position towards Russia reflects Reform UK’s ambition to become a more credible force on national security. MacIntyre’s warning that Russian aircraft violating NATO airspace should be shot down is a strong statement, although any real military response would require careful legal, diplomatic and operational consideration. Britain needs modern armed forces, reliable international alliances and a clear strategy for protecting its national interests. Ultimately, the strength of a country’s defence policy should not be measured by the severity of political speeches, but by its ability to deter aggression, protect its citizens and prevent international tensions from escalating into a wider conflict.