The UK’s armed forces are set to undergo a comprehensive review as the country prepares to address the escalating security threats it faces. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has announced that the strategic defence review will examine the capabilities needed to meet current threats and ensure that spending on defence is responsible. Sir Keir previously committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of national income, but has not yet provided a timeline to reach this target. Until the end of September, the review will gather opinions from military personnel, the defence industry, the public, academics, veterans, MPs, and the UK’s allies. The findings of the review are expected to be released in the first half of 2025.
This review had been long-awaited due to the increasing urgency of the security threats faced by the UK and its Western allies, which experts consider to be more complex and serious than at any other time since the Cold War’s end in 1990. However, Britain’s military had been depleted such that it is no longer considered a Tier One military force. The armed force’s current size is even smaller than during the Napoleonic Wars. Recruiting is now unable to match retention levels, and many soldiers/officers contempt the conditions of the accommodation provided. The Royal Navy, who recently invested heavily in building two advanced aircraft carriers, needs many more ships to be able to fulfill its tasks globally. The Vanguard submarines that form the UK’s strategic defense, often referred to as the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD) and armed with nuclear weapons, require replacing with four Dreadnought submarines.
The UK faces several security threats, including Russia’s full-scale invasion of eastern Ukraine, where the UK, EU, and NATO is providing support to defend the country. NATO has tried its level best to arm Ukraine without escalating the situation, as countries like Poland and the Baltic nations fear an imminent Russian invasion. This situation resulted in such nations raising their spending on defense to ensure their preparedness. In the fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Royal Navy joined hands with the US Navy in recent months. Additionally, the UK also pledged support in containing the Chinese expansion in the South China Sea with the Aukus pact. As per critics, it would be difficult for the UK, given its financial constraints, to maintain such commitments far away from its own region. Furthermore, the country also faces significant risks from “hybrid warfare” attacks in Europe and the increasing possibility of cyberattacks on undersea pipelines and telecoms cables used by Western nations.
Opposition parties have been critical of the government for not committing to when the country will increase spending to 2.5%. Previously, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to this target by 2030. The opposition has blamed the UK government for creating uncertainty for the armed forces by failing to set a definitive timeline for the increase in defence spending on a war-tight period. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge commented that,” By failing to do so, they’ve created huge uncertainty for our armed forces, at the worst possible time.” Defence Secretary John Healey will oversee the review, which will be led by former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson. Former Joint Force Commander Gen Sir Richard Barrons and former US presidential advisor Fiona Hill will also head the review
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