2021 Integrated Review

2021 Integrated Review. Officially titled "Global Britain in a Competitive Age," the 2021 Integrated Review was a major strategic publication by the Government of the United Kingdom outlining its long-term vision for national security, defence, foreign policy, and international development. Commissioned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and led by the Cabinet Office, it represented the most significant reassessment of the UK's global posture since the end of the Cold War. The review aimed to define the UK's role following its departure from the European Union and in response to systemic challenges from states like China and Russia.

Background and context

The review was initiated against a backdrop of significant geopolitical change, including the UK's exit from the European Union and increasing strategic competition. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the need for resilience. Previous strategic assessments, such as the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, were deemed insufficient for the new era. Key figures like Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, and Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, were central to its formulation, drawing on assessments from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Key announcements and policy shifts

The document announced a decisive "tilt" towards the Indo-Pacific region, identifying it as central to future global prosperity and security. It confirmed an increase in the ceiling for the UK's nuclear warhead stockpile, reversing a previous decades-long reduction policy. Significant investment was pledged for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and cyber warfare capabilities, under a new National Cyber Force. The review also integrated international development policy more closely with foreign policy goals, following the merger of the Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to create the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Strategic and defence implications

Militarily, the review confirmed the retirement of legacy platforms like the C-130 Hercules and several older Royal Navy vessels to fund modernization. It emphasized the future importance of the Royal Air Force's Tempest future combat air system and the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers. The British Army was set to be reconfigured towards a more technologically enabled, deployable force. Strategic thinking was heavily influenced by concepts of "persistent engagement" below the threshold of open warfare, particularly in domains like cyberspace. The Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review formalized these cross-government approaches.

International reactions

Allies in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, particularly the United States and Australia, generally welcomed the increased focus on the Indo-Pacific, seeing alignment with their own strategies. The announcement regarding nuclear warheads drew criticism from some NATO partners and non-proliferation advocates. Reactions from Beijing were negative, with officials from the People's Republic of China criticizing the review's characterization of China as a "systemic competitor." The European Union expressed a desire for continued close cooperation on security despite the UK's departure from the bloc, while nations in the ASEAN region noted the UK's renewed interest with cautious optimism.

Implementation and subsequent developments

Initial implementation was guided by the Defence Command Paper and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's subsequent strategies. Early actions included the deployment of the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific in 2021 and the signing of the AUKUS security pact with the United States and Australia. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine provided an immediate test, leading to significant UK military support for Ukraine and a subsequent refresh of the review in 2023. This update, presented to the House of Commons by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, further emphasized resilience against state threats and reinforced commitments to NATO and European security.