The forthcoming strategic defence review: Frequently asked questions

What is the strategic defence review?

The Labour government commissioned a strategic defence review (SDR) shortly after taking office in July 2024. The government said the review will “consider the threats Britain faces, the capabilities needed to meet them, the state of UK armed forces and the resources available.” 

The Defence Secretary, John Healey, has described this SDR as the “first of its kind in the UK”. This is because it will be externally led, whereas previous defence reviews have been conducted by the government.

The review is led by Lord Robertson, a former Labour Defence Secretary and Secretary General of NATO. The review is expected to report in spring 2025.

This briefing sets out what is known about the forthcoming SDR. It will be updated periodically.

About defence reviews

A defence review enables a government to present a forward-looking assessment of Britain’s strategic interests and requisite military requirements.

The UK Government has conducted at least one review of its defence policy in every decade since the Second World War.

Recent iterations have broadened beyond purely defence considerations and have reflected the government’s assessment of national security, outlined the core values of its foreign policy and set out an overarching strategy to guide international and domestic policy.

In 2021 the previous government published the integrated review of security, defence, development, and foreign policy. The unforeseen pace of geopolitical change, however, necessitated a refresh of that strategy in 2023.

The Labour party pledged in its general election 2024 manifesto to hold a fresh defence review upon taking office.

Further information on the evolution of defence reviews and a summary of major decisions can be found in Commons Library briefing A brief guide to previous British defence reviews.

Why is a review needed now?

Announcing the review on 16 July 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

We live in a more dangerous and volatile world. My government will forge a new clear-eyed approach to our national defences, equipping us to tackle international threats head-on while keeping the British people safe and secure.

The Defence Secretary, John Healey, spoke of the need for a “new era for defence”, stating that “hollowed-out armed forces, procurement waste and neglected morale cannot continue”. Mr Healey elaborated on this theme in a speech at RUSI’s land warfare conference noting that “all three services face very serious challenges”.

In February 2024, the Defence Select Committee questioned the warfighting readiness of the armed forces after hearing from former senior officials and experts. The committee concluded: “Either the Ministry of Defence must be fully funded to engage in operations whilst also developing warfighting readiness; or the Government must reduce the operational burden on the Armed Forces”.

Who is leading the review?

The SDR is being led by Lord Robertson, a former Defence Secretary, who conducted the Labour party’s last major defence review in 1998. He also served as Secretary General of NATO (1999 to 2003).

Lord Robertson is supported by two other external reviewers:

• Dr Fiona Hill, who was deputy assistant to the US President and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council from 2017 to 2019.
• General Sir Richard Barrons, a former Commander Joint Forces Command and former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff.

Is there a public consultation?

A call for evidence was opened on 28 August and closed on 30 September 2024. 

What will the review look at?

The Defence Secretary has said the review will have a “NATO-first policy” because NATO is the “cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security”.

The MOD has set out clear parameters in which the review will work. The terms of reference for the review said that, within these parameters, the review “will consider the need for prioritisation of objectives, and therefore investments and activity, to set out a deliverable and affordable plan for Defence.” The parameters are:

• a total commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent
• a ‘NATO-first’ defence policy
• options to reinforce homeland security
• ongoing support for Ukraine
• the centrality of personnel to defence plans
• maintaining defence ties with the Indo-Pacific region, the Gulf and the Middle East
• a commitment to AUKUS, the partnership with Australia and the US to deliver new submarines and collaborate on emerging technologies

Will there be changes to current and planned capabilities?

The review’s terms of reference said it will examine current and planned capabilities:

The Review will identify where reprioritisation of roles, capabilities, activities, and support may be made in the current Defence programme, to allow new investment, achieve better value for money, and secure greater economic gain for the UK, and will make recommendations.

On 20 November 2024, the Defence Secretary announced that six “outdated military capabilities”, including helicopters, ships and drones, will be taken out of service. He said that the “decisions are all backed by our Military Chiefs and taken in consultation with those leading the Strategic Defence Review”.

Plans for the defence budget?

The Labour party committed in its election manifesto to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. John Healey told the Defence Committee in November that the Treasury will set out the path to 2.5% “in the spring”. This is when the government is expected to set out its spending review, although the Financial Times reported on 28 November that the spending review may take place in June.

Further information on current UK defence spending, the NATO target, and comparisons with NATO allies, can be found in Commons Library briefing UK defence spending.

Will there be reductions to the civilian workforce?

David Williams, the Permanent Secretary for the MOD, told the Defence Committee that he expects to reduce the number of civil servants by 10% over the lifetime of this Parliament, saying the MOD needs to get back to 2019 levels “as a net position”.

Are there any other reviews underway?

Yes. The MOD is conducting reviews into its cadet and reserve forces and developing a defence industrial strategy.

The FCDO, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business and Trade are also conducting reviews into subjects that involve or affect defence, including: assessing the UK’s global impact, economic diplomacy, industrial strategy and national resilience. 

What has the response been?

Much of the response to the announcement of the SDR has focused on the challenges for the government in balancing the current and potential financial envelope with the state of the armed forces, current and planned for capabilities, and the potential future demands on the armed forces, up to and including a peer-on-peer conflict. Some have also questioned the purely defence focus of the review at the expense of a statement of the new government’s view of the UK in the world.

This briefing provides more detail on the SDR, commentary and Parliamentary scrutiny of the SDR.