With the Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR), the UK is formulating a new security policy direction. The Labour government is focusing on conventional deterrence, nuclear modernisation and technological leadership in NATO. However, the project is ambitious - and faces structural legacy issues and budgetary conflicts of interest.
A turning point for British defence
With SDR 2025, the UK has presented a far-reaching strategic realignment. The new Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is moving away from the idea of global expeditionary operations and focusing on "warfighting readiness" - the ability to conduct conventional warfare within an alliance framework. The strategy is a reaction to the aggravated situation in Europe, the threat from Russia and technological developments.
Nuclear modernisation and maritime upgrading
The core of the SDR is the modernisation of nuclear deterrence: £15 billion (approx. €17.5 billion) is being spent on renewing delivery systems, infrastructure and submarines. At the centre is the project SSN-AUKUS - Up to twelve new nuclear attack submarines are being built in cooperation with the USA and Australia. The aim is to play a leading maritime role, particularly in the North Atlantic.
Technology offensive: Long-Range Strike and FCAS
The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are to be upgraded with deep-range armament - including Storm Shadow and SPEAR Cap 3. A hybrid carrier squadron consisting of manned and unmanned systems is planned for the future. In addition, the UK is developing Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with Japan and Italy a new Future Combat Air System (FCAS) - a modular air combat system from 2040.
Great Britain: SDR 2025 Photo: MoD/Crown Copyright
NATO first - EU cooperation in the shadows
The SDR 2025 clearly emphasises that the NATO remains "first line of defence". The UK wants to maintain its leading role in deterrence on the eastern flank, in NATO innovation promotion (DIANA) and in the defence market. At the same time, security policy is moving closer to the EU, for example in cyber defence and research. The EU remains a partner - but below the threshold of institutional integration.
Budgetary conflicts and structural burdens
The SDR provides for an increase in defence spending to 3 % of GDP before. However, the defence budget has a structural deficit of around 22 billion pounds on. To create airspace, platforms such as Puma helicopters (Air Force), amphibious units (Navy) and drones are being decommissioned across the board. Social challenges are growing for the state as a whole - in healthcare, infrastructure and development policy. The pressure on the defence budget is likely to increase.
Conclusion
SDR 2025 is an ambitious modernisation strategy - with a focus on NATO, technology and European operational capability. Whether the balancing act between ambition and resources succeeds will not only be decided by armaments projects, but also by their speed of implementation, industrial resilience and political stamina.
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