The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform UK Defence. It will end the hollowing out of the UK’s Armed Forces and lead in a stronger, more lethal NATO.
As we reform Defence and increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3% in the next Parliament when fiscal and economic conditions allow, this review will help make defence an engine for growth, boosting prosperity, jobs and security for people and communities across the UK. Here’s what this means:
- A move towards warfighting readiness—establishing a more lethal ‘integrated force’ and strengthening homeland defence.
- Engine for growth—driving jobs and prosperity through partnership with industry, radical procurement reforms and backing UK businesses.
- ‘NATO first’—stepping up on European security by leading in NATO, with strengthened nuclear, new tech and updated conventional capabilities.
- UK innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine—harnessing drones, data and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer.
- Whole-of-society approach—widening participation in national resilience, and renewing the Nation’s contract with those who serve.
Some of the key announcements include:
- Munitions: £6bn this Parliament— including £1.5bn in an ‘always on’ pipeline and at least 6 new munitions and energetics factories in the UK, creating 1,000+ jobs.
- UK Defence Innovation: £400m to invest in UK-based companies.
- Sovereign warhead programme: £15bn this Parliament, supporting 9,000+ jobs.
- Homeland air and missile defence: up to £1bn new funding.
- Greater European deterrence: up to 7,000 new long-range weapons supporting around 800 jobs in the UK.
- Renewal of military accommodation: at least £7bn this Parliament, with £ 1.5 bn+ new investment to fix forces family housing.
- Capacity: Aim to increase full-time troops to at least 76,000 into the next Parliament.
- Next-generation RAF: F-35s, upgraded Typhoons, next-generation fast jets through GCAP, and autonomous fighters.