Britain announced on Monday its plan to construct 12 new attack submarines, marking the launch of a significant defence review aimed at shifting the country to “war-fighting readiness” in response to “Russian aggression” and the evolving nature of conflict.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, initiating the review in Glasgow, warned that “the threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War.”
He further added, “We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyberattacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies.”
The Strategic Defence Review, which evaluates threats to the UK and offers recommendations, concluded that Britain is entering “a new era of threat.”
Consequently, Starmer stated that his government intends to implement three “fundamental changes.”
“First, we are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces,” he declared.
“Every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play, because we have to recognise that things have changed in the world of today. The front line, if you like, is here.”
Secondly, the Prime Minister emphasized that UK defence policy would “always be NATO first,” and finally, that the UK “will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow.”
‘Blueprint for Strength’
Addressing Parliament later on Monday, Defence Secretary John Healey asserted that the world had entered a “new era” and vowed to make the UK army “10 times more lethal” by integrating future drone technology and artificial intelligence with the “heavy metal of tanks and artillery.”
“We face war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks and daily cyberattacks at home,” he reiterated.
“Our adversaries are working more in alliance with one another, while technology is changing the way war is fought — we are in a new era of threat.”
The UK has been actively rearming due to the perceived threat from Russia and concerns that US President Donald Trump might reduce support for European defence.
Starmer described the review as “a blueprint for strength and security for decades to come,” considering the increasing use of drones and artificial intelligence on battlefields.
His government pledged in February to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, marking the “largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.”
Despite budgetary constraints, the aim is for spending to rise to three percent in the next parliamentary term, projected for 2029.
The Labour government has indicated it will reduce UK overseas aid to help fund these increased defence expenditures.
Based on the recommendations of the review, led by former NATO Secretary General George Robertson, the government announced on Sunday that it would boost stockpiles and weapons production capacity, with the ability to scale up as needed.
This includes an allocation of $2 billion for constructing “at least six munitions and energetics factories,” the procurement of 7,000 domestically built long-range weapons, and an investment of £6 billion in munitions over the current parliamentary term.
The government also stated late Sunday that it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the United States.
Currently, the UK operates seven nuclear-powered Astute Class attack submarines, which are slated to be replaced by the 12 AUKUS submarines starting from the late 2030s.
The Ministry of Defence also confirmed an investment of £15 billion in its nuclear warhead programme and last week pledged £1 billion for the establishment of a “cyber command” to bolster battlefield capabilities.
China ‘Challenge’
The preceding defence review was commissioned in 2021 by the former Conservative government and subsequently revised in 2023 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While launching the new review, Robertson indicated it would address threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, collectively referring to them as a “deadly quartet.”
However, in an op-ed piece for The Sun newspaper, Starmer did not mention China, while cautioning that “The Kremlin is working hand in hand with its cronies in Iran and North Korea.”
This softer rhetoric regarding China aligns with the Labour government’s efforts to improve relations with Beijing, which had reached new lows under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government.
According to The Guardian, the review characterizes Russia as an “immediate and pressing” threat, but labels China as a “sophisticated and persistent challenge.”
At a time when Washington is urging its NATO allies to enhance their own defenses, Britain is reportedly considering bolstering its deterrent by acquiring nuclear-missile capable aircraft from the United States, as reported by The Sunday Times.
