Reviewer Calls Defense Funding 'Alarming' After Watching 'The Wargame'

A recent review of Sky One's four-part series "The Wargame" has highlighted concerns about national defense funding, describing the show as "alarming" and a stark illustration of Britain's vulnerability.

The series, which depicts a hypothetical conflict between Russia and the UK, escalates to missile attacks on major cities and culminates in the government seeking refuge in a nuclear bunker. "The Wargame" featured retired politicians playing versions of themselves, including Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Nicola Sturgeon, with Michael Gove also appearing. The review noted that Left-wing figures in the program lamented the state of global affairs and questioned their own past stances on defense spending.

According to the review, a central message of the series is that Britain is inadequately defended, lacking sophisticated anti-missile air defenses present in countries like Ukraine and Israel. The program suggests that existing military assets, such as the RAF and a limited number of destroyers, would be primarily tasked with protecting strategic locations, leaving civilian populations exposed.

The series also illustrated a scenario where Russian-backed entities spread deep-fake propaganda on social media to incite riots and falsely label the UK as the aggressor. In the hypothetical conflict, the United States, portrayed by Anthony Scaramucci as Secretary of State, withholds support, leading to the declaration that NATO "is dead in the water."

The reviewer emphasized that the compelling nature of the scenario, despite its fictional premise and casting, superseded any inclination to dismiss it, concluding that the series makes a strong case for increased defense investment. The review was published on September 24, 2026.