A “bolder, more radical” UK Strategic Defence Review will be published within two weeks, says key reviewer
The Global Combat Air Programme is likely to be included in the SDR. (Photo: BAE Systems)
The UK Strategic Defence Review, which was anticipated to be published by mid-2025, has been given a more definitive release date by the report’s lead reviewer.
The UK government’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is expected to be published within the “next fortnight”, one of the chief external reviewers on the project, former NATO secretary general Lord Robertson, has said.
According to Lord Robertson, speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society’s FCAS Summit event on 21 May, the final draft of the SDR was submitted to the government two months ago and will be made public as soon as it can be moved “out of the Treasury”.
In July 2024, the current UK government ordered a ‘root and branch’ review be conducted of UK defence that would assess and
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack]()
Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
-
![Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US]()
Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan]()
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
![Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences]()
Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences
The Canadian Department of National Defence has created new organisations to manage the procurement and integration of all-domain solutions and allocated US$258.33 million to strengthen production capacities.
