The Strategic Defence Review, Britain and sea power

Council on Geostrategy – Similarly to the previous administration, the new Labour government has pledged to embrace a ‘North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-first’ defence posture. A Strategic Defence Review is now underway to reappraise and determine the shape of the United Kingdom’s (UK) future defences. Given British dependence on the sea for economic growth and prosperity, as well as the Net Zero agenda, the sea power remains central to the national effort. Britain is situated at the centre of the Euro-Atlantic world, a perspective it should embrace and promote. As it looks to boost investment in defence to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and move towards greater integration between the armed forces, the new government should place sea power at the heart of its agenda.