The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Rendere più sicuro la Gran Bretagna: sicuro in patria, forte all’estero
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-strategic-defence-review-2025-making-britain-safer-secure-at-home-strong-abroad
di MGC91
The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Rendere più sicuro la Gran Bretagna: sicuro in patria, forte all’estero
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-strategic-defence-review-2025-making-britain-safer-secure-at-home-strong-abroad
di MGC91
6 commenti
Gosh it took them long enough to fucking publish it, Jesus!
It is incredibly vague, buzzwordy and lacks anything about the nuts and bolts. At least from a quick skim, the solidifying our focus on NATO and the Atlantic and the policy around that, and the defence industry is interesting enough. But lacks anything actual solid and substantial for what it means for the services and their structures.
I enjoyed them coming up with ways to explain that they’re too cheap and broke to buy new multi engine aircraft for the RAF by saying that it’s more cost effective to use civilian charterers for Air to Air refuelling and transport.
So, there are very few recommendations that specify numbers or types of kit, though, as the Defence Minister said earlier, that will come later, in the autumn.
Some interesting bits I noted (by no means exhaustive):
– Both the GCAP and the carriers are supported by the SDR, and named as valuable aspects in maintaining British global influence and a strong defence industry. Previous worries about their cancellation were, as expected, unfounded.
– The review advocates for a constant production stream of munitions, that can be rapidly scaled in the event of a conflict. This aspect partially links with the government’s pledge to support 6 armaments facilities and purchase 7000 long-range strike weapons. Indeed, the review as a whole places emphasis on rebuilding sovereign defence-industrial capability.
– The review recommends the creation of a cross-force digital targeting web, in which any sensor can be used to detect a threat, and any effector can then be used to prosecute that threat. There is a nice graphic on page 52. This capability should be delivered by 2027, and is key to the reviews vision of an digitally integrated British military.
– The review highlights the need for more combat air power in the RAF (mentioning specifically the F-35A and F-35B), as well as a further purchase of E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft. It also highlights the importance of airborne assets in air and missile defence, and suggests an extra £1 billion in funding for that mission. It also recommends further integration with the RN, including exploring giving the Protector drone a maritime surveillance capability.
– The review suggests that the RN should become a hybrid force, mixing unmanned and manned assets. Examples given include enabling the carriers to operate a mixed drone and manned air wing, and eventually to fire deck-launched long-range missiles. There is also the suggestion of a derivative of the Type 45’s role, but undertaken by minimally manned or unmanned ships to support air and missile defence. There’s also the 12 SSN-A commitment we heard earlier.
I’ll have to come back later for the rest 🙂
Seems to be no urgency we are starting to turn into the deadbeats of nato
I’ve saw people on Facebook criticising this. But if Reform did it they’d be on the street applauding
Kit aside, we are going to need much better and fitter personnel in the armed forces and much better recruitment (i.e. no Crapita behind it). The general public is unfit and that is reflected how many people fail fitness tests, which means doing a lot more to tackle poverty, better school meals etc. There is no point in upgrading the kit if we do not have personnel to use it.