Ask someone, “What is defence?” They’ll probably say something along the lines of it being the act of protecting oneself, another person, or some cherished object.
Defending a nation encompasses all of these aspects. As Cymru moves ever closer to regaining its complete independence from the imperial project of the UK, sovereigntists need to begin to address what our nation’s defence forces may look like and how to shape them.
A common bond
From the rhetoric and budget trickery gushing out of political parties at Westminster, and warnings by the French president that ‘Europe could die’, it may appear that the leaders of the UK and France are preparing to lead troops into battle. But beneath the words of both men lie the fears of individuals watching their destinies being shaped by others.
The prime minister heads a fractious rabble of rabid men and women, any one of them prepared to implode their party for self-aggrandisement. Once ‘The man of Europe’, the French leader now sees his legacy contorted by the failure to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end; an inability to bring to bear former colonial influences in the Levant; and smaller upstart EU nations placing ever-increasing pressure on the Franco-German image of Europe.
Defence is a common bond between these men. Both appear to have hit upon the political and economic benefits to them, and to their legacies, of perpetuating the falsehoods of increasingly unstable geopolitics. It’s a smart move. Through espousing jingoistic soundbites, each attempts to build political backing to expand military spending and convince their citizens they’re needed in the face of dangers.
Over the past 300 years these imperial powers, Britain and France, led the world in the field of manufacturing and sales of military hardware. Each used this homemade terror to hold together their involuntary unions of nations, islands, and overseas territories. Although such military subjugations are legal it’s they, as benefactors of the considerable market share in major weapons exports, who wrote those laws.
Wales leading the way
When the people of Cymru kick the door closed in the face of the unequal union of the UK, they’ll have the opportunity to put behind them the brutal legacy of its imperial project. After 500 years, Cymru will be free to run its own defences.
As humanity matures and moves towards a deeper understanding of itself, its place in nature, and in the cosmos, the old and barbaric human-directed and operated weaponry becomes more obviously obsolete. There will be no requirement for Cymru to have a separate army, navy, and airforce. Cymru must defend its people and its existence through intelligence.
By incorporating cutting-edge technologies to enhance security, efficiency, and effectiveness, a sovereign Cymru will have no need to waste budgets on last-century military hardwear. Our future lies in becoming the leading nation in research, testing, and building of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Able to utilise data analysis to power predictive maintenance, autonomous vehicles, and even assist in decision-making processes, AI will be at the centre of the defence structures of all small nations.
The advanced encryption techniques necessary for secure communication protocols will be powered through quantum computing and AI-managed cybersecurity, protecting sensitive data and infrastructure from cyber threats. Through developing a speciality in AI and encryption – and building on Cymru’s already world-leading energy sector, our country can spearhead the development of direct energy weapons (DEWs). These are wielded with the aims of using high-powered microwaves and lasers to cause collateral damage to aggressor machines, infrastructure, or conventional attack hardware, while avoiding killing people.
Independence is defence
With a world-leading agricultural industry as well, Cymru will also have advances in biotechnology at its disposal. Such technologies will be complimentary to designing and growing engineered materials for use in the repair of human beings, robots, and general medical treatments for use in Cymru’s healthcare system. These can all be produced through additive manufacturing.
Working with fellow small nations and their space programmes, Cymru can play a crucial role in manufacture of satellites and space-faring autonomous vehicles. With intelligence gathering, communication, navigation, and surveillance being of key strategic importance in the coming decades, this will place Cymru at the heart of international defence design, manufacturing, and procurement.
These technologies, along with ongoing advancements in materials science, robotics, and sensor technologies, will continue to shape the future of Cymru’s independent capabilities. We can combine a thriving industry with a focus on protecting and defending our nation from emerging threats and challenges.
As a sovereign country, Cymru will have the opportunity to develop and apply innovation, ambition, and sometimes bravery. It can use these to shape a future in which our nation is secure, our voices are heard, and our people are healthy and defended.
