more submarines, soldiers, and drones along with an airborne nuclear strike capability, and the exploration of technology such as lasers and AI. The SDR outlines the following key ambitions:
Army to become ‘ten-times more lethal’.
This ambitious relies on harnessing new technologies and weapons systems, especially drones. Lethality can be difficult to measure, and the claim is based on political rhetoric.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin of the Chief of Defence Staff stated that the aim was to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027, and triple it by the year 2030.
The new Archer system, the late introduction of the Ajax vehicles and Challenger 3 tank will increase lethality…but to what extent?
British troops walk back to their vehicles after an exercise in Smardan in 2025.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin attends a Service of Thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey, London, on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, May 8, 2025.
The integration of three forces
Although the Integrated Force is not a merger of Armed Forces but a centralised Integrated Force it will lose a lot of traditional independence The SDR suggested that the services were’siloed.’ In the months and years to come, it was vital that they train together and prepare to fight shoulder to shoulder.
PS15billion boost to nuclear warheads.
Britain’s nuclear deterrent is in desperate need of a recapitalisation. The PS15billion is to pay for the upgrade or replacement of these weapons.
The money will also be used to modernise the infrastructure at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston. This will support more than 9,000 Berkshire jobs.
Sir Keir starmer delivers a speech in Glasgow at the time the government announced its defence spending.
Upto 12 new nuclear attack subs
Military observers have welcomed the yet uncosted promise to develop “upto” 12 new attack subs, but the first boat will not enter service until the late 2030s. The submarines are expected to support the AUKUS alliance between the UK and Australia, and the United States. They will also be used to protect Pacific against Chinese aggression. The Royal Navy will replace its current fleet of seven Astute class submarines with the new boats over the next few decades. They will be constructed at key sites, such as BAE Barrow-in-Furness. Six new factories for munitions production
The SDR suggests at least six factories that produce munitions, explosives and propellants. The SDR recommends a ‘always-on’ munitions capacity in the UK to allow production to be increased quickly if necessary.
Britain’s military warehouses have been emptied after PS5billion worth of weaponry and ammunition was provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict in the year 2022. According to the SDR, the programme will create over 1,000 skilled jobs.
Defence secretary John Healy visited the production line of long-range cruise missile Storm Shadow on May 31.
Cyber warfare, robotics and AI
According to the review, AI will improve quality and speed in decision-making, and operational effectiveness, for Britain’s military and its allies… as well as its enemies.
It is a priority to shift towards a greater use of AI and autonomy within the UK’s conventional force. This has been shown to be transformative in Ukraine. Chiefs will launch the Defence AI Investment Fund before February 2026.
According to the report, cyber threats will be harder to mitigate with the advancement of technology, and government departments, military equipment, and communications will become more vulnerable.
It is important to harden critical defence functions against cyber-attacks. Directed Energy Weapons, such as the UK’s DragonFire, an innovative laser ground-to-air system being developed in Porton Down, Wiltshire can save millions on ordnance.
This review also urges the MoD seize the opportunity presented by technologies like lasers and robots.
PS4billion increase in the drone force
Government announced a PS4billion investment for drones and autonomous systems. Drones dominate the conflict in Ukraine, and in Russia. This is after the audacious Ukrainian attack against Russian airfields in Siberia a few days ago.
They are lethal at a minimal cost and could save the lives of British soldiers because they do not have to engage the enemy in close proximity.
Low-cost drones are effective against ‘legacy systems’ worth billions of dollars and are needed to protect and enhance the UK’s manned systems, including aircraft, helicopters, and armoured vehicle.
A F-35A Lighting II jet (pictured by the Finnish Air Force in the Netherlands)
Fighting jets that can carry nuclear bombs.
Britain and the United States are exploring the possibility of bringing back air-delivered nukes. The F-35A Lightning II aircraft of the United States is capable to carry nuclear bombs with tactical gravity.
This proposal marks the biggest shift in UK nuclear policy since the Cold War. Currently, the Royal Navy’s “bomber” submarines carry this country’s nuclear weapons.
Air-launched nukes would have a smaller payload. The B61 munitions with a lower yield are already in use on US aircraft stationed in continental Europe, and could be brought over to Britain.
Thousands new long-range weapon
A minimum of 7,000 long range weapons will be manufactured to restock UK Military Warehouses and prepare for a prolonged conflict against an opponent such as Russia.
Children are taught the value of military service
Defence Chiefs will work with Department for Education in order to increase understanding of the Armed Forces by young people at schools. This will be done through a two-year public outreach event series across the UK explaining current threats and trends.
The number of cadets in schools and community-based forces will be increased with the aim of having 250,000 cadets by 2030. Many of these cadets will go on to join our armed forces. HMS Artful, a nuclear-powered fleet sub of the Astute class, is maneuvered in Clyde March 2025.
Investment in reservists
The report identified a need to increase the number of reserve soldiers. These part-time personnel – many of whom have operational experience – would join full-time soldiers on the frontline. The report stated that the UK’s Active Reserve Forces should be increased by at least 20% ‘when funding permits, most likely in 2030s’.
There are around 25,000 Army reservists in the UK, along with 3,500 Royal Navy, Royal Marines and RAF reservists.
