Delivered by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, and UK Defence Secretary John Healey, the UK has unveiled its Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR), marking a decisive shift towards warfighting readiness in response to escalating global threats.
The report outlines a modernised, more lethal, and integrated force posture that is expected to have significant implications on the Indo-Pacific, NATO, and Australia through AUKUS.
The principal objective of the SDR is to further bolster deterrence through the expansion of the UK's fleet of attack submarines to 12 naval vessels, accomplished via a continuous manufacturing line to be developed under the AUKUS framework.
With production cycles targeted at one submarine every 18 months, the outline builds upon the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, signalling long-term investment in undersea capabilities. The initiative strengthens the UK’s Continuous at Sea Deterrent and enhances regional collective defence.
Further, a contemporary Cyber and Electromagnet Command and a Digital Targeting Web role out are expected by 2027, representing significant steps in the UK’s agenda to modernise and ultimately reflect operational lessons learned from other conflicts such as that in Ukraine. The goal is for swifter targeting, more precise strike capabilities and an enhanced resilience in the grey zone, all areas where cyber and electronic threats are becoming increasingly prevalent.
NATO remains a central commitment, with a “NATO First” approach. Investment has been announced in over 7,000 long range projectiles alongside £1 billion (A$2.08 billion) in integrated air and missile defences. These contemporary capabilities are intended to avert aggression, particularly from Russia, whilst simultaneously enhancing interoperability with key allies.
Moreover, the Royal Navy (RN) Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to join naval exercises led by Australia in the second half of 2025 in a bid to reaffirm the UK’s presence in the Indo-Pacific.
Offshore RN Patrol Vessels HMS Tamar and HMS Spey will continue to provide a persistent presence, while the UK will also continue to actively engage in the Five Power Defence Arrangements and intelligence-sharing under the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. All actions are done with the aim of supporting maritime security and demonstrating a strong commitment to regional stability.
With the establishment of six new energetics factories expected and approximately £6 billion (A$12.4 billion) allocated to munitions production, the SDR includes a significant domestic industrial component. Aligning with national economic priorities and defence modernisation objectives, this investment is expected to reinforce sovereign manufacturing capability.
The increasingly collaborative nature of allied defence planning was highlighted through contributions to the SDR which included over 8,000 submissions from the public, industry, and experts across 30 countries. Australian officials were consulted throughout.
“Britain is stepping up…this Review ensures we are ready to fight and win if we must,” Healey noted.
The SDR reflects a clear acknowledgement of the shifting strategic global political arena and positions the UK to respond more robustly to emerging threats, all the while deepening ties with key partners, especially Australia.