I read bombshell defence review of UK armed forces – here are 11 things you need to know
The review seeks to revolutionise the Armed Forces to meet the threats of tomorrow (Image: Getty)
The government released the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review (SDR) yesterday setting out its plan for the armed forces over the next decade. Described as “The most profound change in 150 years” to the British military, the SDR promised a range of measures designed to counter aggression from Russia, address rising threats of non-state actors and respond to an increased risk of attack from cyber and space.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “The threats we face are now more serious and less predictable than at any time since the end of the Cold War. We face war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks and daily cyber attacks. Our adversaries are working more in alliance with one another while technology is changing the way in which war is fought.
The report sets out a range of measures to be taken to modernise the military (Image: Getty)
“We are in a new era of threat which demands a new era for UK defence.”
Despite being unable to guarantee an increase in defence spending of 3% in the next parliament, something the report’s authors described as “vital” to their recommendations, below are the most significant takeaways from the 48,000 word report:
Cyber
A new Cyber Command will combine skills in the private sector with those in the Armed Forces to allow the UK to better respond to and launch electronic warfare attacks.
The UK has been attacked in the cyber realm 90,000 times in the last two years and it is hoped that the UK will develop its ability to defend itself more effectively from such attacks and launch hacking operations of its own.
Submarines
The Prime Minister has expressed a desire to see a new nuclear submarine produced every 18 months as part of a “New Hybrid Navy”. Under the plans high-tech nuclear submarines will replace the current seven-strong Astute class and merge with “cutting-edge warships and support ships” as well as autonomous vessels to patrol the North Atlantic and protect vital underwater cables.
The report stressed the commitment to Britain’s continuous at sea deterrence as Starmer vowed that the country would produce one new submarine every 18 months as Britain increases its fleet by as many as 12.
The government will also invest £15 billion in the UK’s sovereign nuclear warhead programme, supporting 30,000 highly skilled jobs up-and-down the country.
The government have vowed to build a new nuclear submarine every 18 months (Image: Getty)
Lethality and means of fighting
The report claims that its recommendations will make the army 10 times more lethal by combining armoured capability with air defence, communications, AI, software, long-range weapons and land drone swarms.
Most notably, over the next decade, the British Army will develop a new way of fighting known as “20-40-40”.
The plans will see kamikazee and first person view drones, which will make up 40% of the force, launched at the enemy in the first instance of an operation.
This will be followed by heavy armour such as Challenger 3 tanks, which will make up around 20% of the force.
The third stage of battle will see heavier, long-range precision missiles and more durable drones will make up the final 40%.
Fighter jets
The RAF will look to procure more F35 fighter jets comprising a mix of alpha and bravo models.
It comes as the air force seeks to “stay at the leading edge” of combat air’s evolution and will see the service mix crewed, uncrewed and autonomous platforms into its capabilities.
The government may also look to diversify its means of nuclear delivery by acquiring American-made fighter jets capable of carrying and launching a nuclear weapon.
Defence Economy
The UK will ensure that defence is at the heart of economic development, with the defence industry described as a “new engine for growth at the heart of the UK’s economic strategy”.
It recommends the creation of a partnership between the MOD and the private sector which allows defence to tap into knowledge and expertise as part of a new Defence Industrial Strategy.
The report pledges further investment in sites at Barrow and Raynesway, both of which are vital to the UK’s ability to produce Royal Navy vessels and sit at the heart of the ongoing AUKUS agreement with the United States and Australia.
The report seeks to learn many of the lessons learned in Ukraine (Image: Getty)
Weapons
The government will invest £6 billion on munitions to replenish UK stockpiles, with £1.5 billion allocated for the building of at least six factories to produce more long-range weapons to strengthen Britain’s Armed Forces and create new jobs across the country.
Housing
£1.5 billion worth of funding will be allocated to British military personnel and their families to improve accommodation for the UK Armed Forces.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “For too long, many military families have lived in sub-standard homes”, with dire accommodation often cited as a reason for terminating service.
Recruitment
The Armed Forces are in the midst of a recruitment crisis and despite Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard claiming that “this is the first defence review since 1989 which doesn’t reduce troop numbers”, critics could fairly claim that it would be possible to get any lower.
The armed forces have continuously failed to meet recruitment targets despite a conscious effort to reduce troop levels over the last decade.
In order to appeal more to potential troops, the report recommends reducing medical barriers to entry which would prevent most of the England rugby team from signing up, embracing hybrid and flexible working where possible and helping soldiers to buy their own property.
The government will increase the size of the cadet force to bring society closer to the military (Image: Getty)
Reserves
The MOD will look to increase the number of “active reserves” by 20% “when funding allows” which is expected to be in the 2030s.
Currently, there are 25,690 reserves currently serving in the armed forces, with the SDR looking to make the option of reserve service more appealing whilst seeking to work with wider society to better facilitate and promote reserve service.
The report further highlights the need to address the state of the “strategic reserve” consisting of veterans who are still liable to be recalled into service in the event of a national emergency.
Defence sources have told the Daily Express that it is unlikely that records of who still has a strategic reserve liability are up to date, meaning it remains unclear how many people can be relied upon.
Education
The report identifies the need for the military to reconnect with society, with the benefits of service better promoted amongst those without a pre-existing connection to the Armed Forces.
As part of this, MOD is to begin work with the Department of Education to “develop an understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools.”
Under the plans, serving soldiers and active reserves could do “show and tells” across the country in a bid to showcase the benefits of a life of service and the variety of jobs, qualifications and opportunities it provides.
The proposals will be complemented by an increase in the cadet force by 30% by 2030, with an increased focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Red tape
The report highlights that currently, projects valued at more than £20 million currently take six and a half years on average to see a contract awarded, vitally delaying the delivery of mission critical kit to troops.
Under the plans, defence will transform the acquisition process by “harnessing commercial innovation”. The Defence Secretary has previously identified the need to speed up archaic and bureaucratic procurement processes, with the creation of a National Armament Director and the centre of plans to do so.
Critically the report recommends that senior officers overseeing major projects remain in post for five years, with current postings of two years blamed partly for poor-quality strategic thinking.
The report recommends that the government ring fence 10% of its procurement budget, aimed at ensuring that smaller companies developing “novel” technologies are better able to earn MOD contracts and supply the armed forces at a “rapid” pace.
