Maritime first is the right defence posture for the UK
Coalition ships pictured during Exercise Cold Response. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
The RN seemed the apparent winner when the Integrated Review was first published. Despite the war in Ukraine reminding the West of the importance of solid land and air capabilities, a maritime or navy-first defence posture is still the best option for the UK.
Speaking in 2020, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to make the UK the 'foremost naval power' in Europe. The statement came with a pledge to build a new class of Type 32 frigates that would finally see the RN's escort fleet grow after years of decline.
Going into the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific tilt that came with it, much was said of the importance of free trade – most of which the UK conducts via sea, the international rules-based order and undersea critical national infrastructure.
Emerging from the Integrated Review, it seemed the RN was well
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