A Series of Challenges Facing the UK with Implications for Defense
In recent years, the United Kingdom has encountered a series of challenges with significant implications for its defense. The full-scale aggression by Russia against Ukraine has, as in many other states, depleted the UK’s armament stocks of essential equipment and ammunition. The difficulty in scaling up production to replace these stocks is a pressing concern.
The economy is a persistent issue for Britain, as it is for many other European nations, compounded by the effects of Brexit. The cost of future defense programs, particularly at the nuclear level, is daunting. The UK’s global ambitions to play a role in Asia, notably through cooperation with Australia and the United States, will be exceedingly demanding.
It is therefore only natural that, a few years subsequent to the last significant overhaul of British defense policies, another Strategic Defence Review is currently underway. This review is being conducted under the auspices of the new Labour government and its Defence Minister, John Healey. It is intended to replace the Integrated Review 2021, which was issued by the previous Conservative government.
The terms of reference of the SDR state:
The UK faces threats that are growing and diversifying: war in Europe; conflict in the Middle East; states across the world that are increasingly acting in ways that challenge regional and global stability as well as our values and interests; terrorist groups; hybrid attacks; andinstability caused by climate change.
Leadership and Key Members
The leadership of this new review has been entrusted to Lord Robertson, a former Defense Minister and NATO Secretary General. Notably, the British-American analyst and former official during the Trump administration, Fiona Hill, is a member of the team. Military expertise is provided by General Sir Richard Barrons.
Public Consultation and Key Issues
The endeavor has been initiated through a public consultation, which includes engagement with foreign governments, academic institutions, and other interlocutors. From a Swedish perspective, the role of the UK as a leader of the Joint Expeditionary Force naturally emerges as one of the key issues to be discussed. This is significant because it represents a direction of cooperation, particularly with Sweden, that is not dependent on the cohesion of NATO or the posture of the incoming American administration after the election on November 5.
Historical Context and Resilience Issues
When Lord Robertson served as NATO Secretary General, the UK was still a member of the European Union. This historical context raises questions about how resilience issues will be addressed in the review, particularly as many of these matters are now to large extent dealt with by the EU.
Nuclear Weapons and Defense Economics
Another critical issue will be nuclear weapons. The UK had previously announced a certain increase in the number of warheads. One of the premises for the review is that the UK will retain its nuclear weapon capability. However, defense economics is a pressing issue for the UK, and the task of renewing both submarines and warheads will impose an enormous financial burden on UK defense in the future.
Cooperation with the Incoming American Administration
It is also uncertain to what extent the incoming American administration will cooperate with the UK and assist in making these endeavors viable.
Intelligence and Global Cooperation
One of the clear comparative advantages of the UK is intelligence. The UK’s collaboration with the United States provided essential information publicly about Russia’s intentions in the lead-up to the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022. This, along with other efforts from the UK to reinforce the Nordic direction of defense, is an essential cooperative issue for the UK.
Simultaneously, the UK is heavily involved in global cooperation, including the AUKUS agreement, which will require substantial prioritization of efforts. Like all other European countries, the UK is struggling to make defense production effective.
The parameters for the new review are stated clearly by the government beforehand. These include:
• The Government has a total commitment to the independent UK nuclear deterrent. The SDR will consider the efficiency and effectiveness of the nuclear program.
• NATO will remain the cornerstone of UK Defence. The SDR will look at enhancing the UK’s contribution to the Alliance and sustaining a “NATO first” defense policy, while protecting vital UK sovereign requirements and strategic reach.
• The first duty of Government is to keep the country safe and protect its citizens. The SDR will examine the Defense capabilities and options to reinforce UK homeland security.
• The UK’s support for Ukraine is steadfast and will endure for as long as it takes for Ukraine to succeed. The SDR will consider ways in which this support can be maintained in the short, medium and long term.
Lars-Erik Lundin