Stark choices confront constrained UK (Opinion)
Rishi Sunak holds an NLAW ATGM launcher during a recent visit to the Thales facility in Belfast. (Photo: Paul Faith/Alamy)
Is the next Prime Minister capable of finding a solution for the crisis facing the UK, as the country grapples with a cost of living crisis and an economy entering a recession at the same time as Cold War levels of defence investment are needed?
The NATO Summit in Madrid on 28-30 June marked the first meeting of leaders from across the alliance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Events since then have rejuvenated NATO, taking an organisation that had been moribund and struggling to sustain its relevance in an era of ‘Indo-Pacific tilts’ and helping to put European security at the heart of national security agendas.
As a result, the Madrid summit saw several highly significant changes to policies and commitments that will help reframe how the alliance operates.
The most significant of these is the return to a Cold War-era
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
