Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a significant overhaul of the UK’s military capabilities, pledging to build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of the AUKUS alliance with the United States and Australia. This initiative aims to update the current fleet of seven submarines, beginning in the late 2030s. In addition to investing £15 billion (A$31.3 billion) to rejuvenate the UK’s nuclear deterrent, Starmer emphasised a move towards achieving “war-fighting readiness” for the British armed forces.
These announcements coincided with the release of the Strategic Defence Review, which proposes a substantial shift in the military’s operational approach, prioritising automation and artificial intelligence in response to lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Starmer asserted that maintaining readiness is crucial for deterring nations with advanced military forces, advocating for a “peace through strength” philosophy.
Despite the ambitious goals, Starmer refrained from providing a clear timeline for achieving a defence spending target of 3% of the UK’s GDP, which is expected by the close of the next parliament in 2034, contingent on economic conditions. He also did not clarify funding sources, having previously suggested reductions to the UK’s aid budget to facilitate the defence spending increase.
The review highlighted a future military structure where only 20% of vehicles are crewed, with the balance consisting of reusable platforms like drones and single-use munitions such as missiles. The Royal Navy is set to transform its fleet into a more powerful yet cost-effective force. The two aircraft carriers will expand their operations to include European aircraft and drones, and underwater technologies will monitor Russian military activities in the North Atlantic.
Dr Marion Messmer from Chatham House noted that some of the advancements proposed will require considerable time for development, indicating that the UK’s military readiness might not align swiftly with emerging geopolitical threats. Despite this, increased investment in nuclear capabilities and potential integration with European defence structures is likely to heighten tensions with Russia.
Starmer’s commitment falls short of defence spending levels seen in some NATO countries, as discussions around raising the NATO spending goal to 5% per GDP are imminent. This contrasts with the US’s 3.38% spending level, which accounts for a significant portion of NATO’s total expenditure.
The review has spurred optimism among some military commentators who regard it as a bold call to action, noting that the current UK military stands at less than half its Cold War size. The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of being prepared for contemporary threats, asserting that advancements in technology must compensate for personnel shortages.
Overall, this military transformation signifies a strategic pivot for the UK, highlighting both its commitment to modernising defence capabilities and the challenges it faces in an evolving global security landscape.