Britain’s military future mapped out in defence review

The strategic defense review in the United Kingdom has been described as 10 -year -old shares of military and strategic priorities in the country and will be impatiently read by contractors for hints on government spending plans.

This review, which was called by Prime Minister Sir Kerr Starmer when he came to his post last July, in light of Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine.

It was published on Monday, and emphasized a shift towards the “willingness of war fighting”, responding to the increasing threats of “peer” opponents such as Russia and China.

Who was the main winner of the review?

While areas like Cyber ​​Conflict and Royal Air Force have obtained a planned investment, the Royal Navy stands out as a major winner.

The service will expand its fleet from nuclear -powered attack submarines from seven to 12, with up to 12 new boats for the attack by AUKUS in the United Kingdom with the United States and Australia by the late thirties.

This alone represents nearly half of the expected spending on the arms systems shown in the strategic defense review.

However, the naval concentration will be transformed from an exploratory force-one that includes a plane carrier designed to fight distant wars against low-tech opponents-to serve more focused on defending the home.

It is very similar during the Cold War, that the navy’s concentration is to defend the North Atlantic Ocean from infringement by Russian submarines under a plan known as “ATLANTIC BASTION”.

What is the army plan?

The target volume of the army will remain the same – at 73,000 ordinary soldiers, according to the review. The current number is about 71000, and the review recommended a slight increase in employees “if the financing is allowed”.

Instead of a significant increase in the numbers of forces, the review recommended using technology, drones and programs “to increase the girl 10 times”.

The report said that the United Kingdom should be “a leading defense force in technology, with a” integrated force “that is declining, imagining and winning through continuous innovation at the pace of war.

To do this, the Ministry of Defense plans to present, among other things, a “targeted digital network” with a value of 1 billion pounds-a program driven by artificial intelligence and aims to clarify the battlefield data and use it to enable decisions better and faster.

Are things missing from the report?

Donald Trump was not mentioned in the name of the review document – although the inability to predict his American presidency was diplomatic.

The report said: “Countries seek to reshape the rules based on the international system that has governed international relations since World War II.” “The clear shift in the American strategic priorities confirms the extent of strategic competition, urgent and different management now.”

The Sunday Times reported that Britain wants to buy combat aircraft capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, but this was not mentioned in the review.

A person close to Defense Secretary John Heili said that the initial talks with the United States were underway with regard to the United Kingdom, which is likely to add tactical nuclear weapons launched by air to its capabilities, while it may be a major shift from its current focus on the submarine missiles.

The review also recommended “starting discussions with the United States and NATO on possible benefits and the feasibility of the UK’s enhanced participation in the nuclear task of NATO.”

What is in the industry?

The review promised a new partnership with the industry, including “root review and the root branch” of purchases.

The new investment is supposed to help in new technologies and advanced manufacturing in ensuring that defensive spending provides “both fighters and economics.”

More details will be provided in the defense industrial strategy – expected in the coming weeks – but the United Kingdom’s defense companies are likely to be among the largest winners of the companies from the review.

The shares in the contractors participating in building and maintaining a British submarine fleet rose on Monday after the government revealed the plan to expand it and support the nuclear deterrent in the United Kingdom.

BaE Systems, which builds submarines of the Royal Navy, including the smart category of nuclear powered attack boats, is already investing significantly in expanding the shipyard in northwestern England.

The FTSE 100 group, which produces about 80 percent of the British Armed Forces, must benefit from the construction of six new ammunition factories across the UK.

Other companies participating in the submarine supply chain, including Rolls-Royce and Babcock International, are also in more work lines.

Rolls-Royce builds nuclear reactors that operate British submarines, while Babcock maintains and serves all UK boats.

Lockheed Martin can benefit from the United States, which manufactures the F-35 Fighter, if the UK continues to buy more aircraft.

A pledge to invest more in long -range weapons should take advantage of the MBDA missile manufacturer, owned by Bae, Leonardo and Airbus.

Players also hope for defense technology such as Helsing in Europe and Andrill, USA, to secure work on new programs that focus on independent systems, including drones.

Was the long -term defense policy set?

Although it is supposed to have a 10 -year review, the fate of similar exercises in the past indicates that the shelf life of the report may be limited.

The last review was published in 2021, just four years ago, and it recommended a “strategic axis towards the Indian Pacific region to confront China’s influence and deepen relations with allies such as Australia, India and Japan”, in line with the strategic priorities prevailing at that time.

The latest review, it was made in the Ukraine war, got rid of the global access of this type.

While describing China as a “constant challenge”, instead, the focus on the main country is Russia, which is “an attachment and immediate threat.” At the same time, the geographical focus is the North Atlantic Ocean, not the Pacific Ocean.

“We have previously seen the defense reviews of the Lionise industry in the United Kingdom, but we fail to take the next step and investment,” said Klaiv Higgins, CEO of Leonardo in the United Kingdom.

“The defensive investment plan must be sufficiently funded in order to provide” innovation at the pace of war “required by the strategy. We must see more partnership -based purchases, and harness the market force in the United Kingdom for the sake of our wild industry.”