UK rolls the dice with Integrated Review
A British Army soldier on a NATO training course in Poland, March 2020. The Integrated Review reaffirms the UK’s commitment to the NATO alliance. (Photo: US Army/Sgt Timothy Hamlin)
The Integrated Review is certainly ambitious in its scope but how realistic is it?
The UK government launched its long-awaited Integrated Review (IR) earlier this month. This landmark document, released in two parts on 16 and 22 March, intends to set out the next 10 years of UK national security strategy.
Part 1 sets out the cross-government strategy, while the MoD Command Paper provides more detail on the armed forces’ role in delivering this strategy.
The main outcome is a vision which — on paper at least — aspires to do three quite different things and which may place significant strain on already stretched budgets and forces.
The UK wishes to lead in NATO,
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation]()
Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation
European law enforcement and public security agencies are entering a new cycle of investment in personal protection equipment (PPE), driven by evolving threat profiles, officer welfare requirements and advances in materials technology.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO’s eastern flank]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO’s eastern flank
Autonomous systems developer Milrem has evolved a model for an interoperable robotised approach to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), showing how uncrewed systems could provide a multi-layered defence architecture in the air and on land along NATO’s eastern borders.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities]()
Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities
Eurosatory 2026 will reflect a defence and security sector shaped by conflict, rising government spending, uncrewed systems, multidomain networks and growing demand for sovereign capabilities.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
