Defence Review

Defence Review
Title	Defence Review
Discipline	Defence policy
Country	Various
Language	English
Publisher	Ministries of Defence; think tanks; academic presses
Firstdate	Various
Frequency	Ad hoc; periodic

Defence Review

A Defence Review is a formal, periodic assessment produced by national Ministry of Defence, Department of Defense, or equivalent institutions to evaluate force structure, capability, doctrine, procurement, and strategic posture. It synthesizes analysis from intelligence agencies, armed forces, industry partners such as Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, academic institutions like King's College London, RAND Corporation, and allied bodies including North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Reviews inform cabinet-level decision-making, parliamentary committees such as the House of Commons Defence Committee, and international coalitions including the Five Eyes partnership.

Overview and Purpose

A Defence Review aims to match national strategic objectives defined in documents like the National Security Strategy and the NATO Strategic Concept with force planning, procurement timelines, and industrial base policies. It typically addresses threat assessments derived from events such as the Crimean Crisis (2014), the Syrian Civil War, and rising competition with states exemplified by the People's Republic of China and Russian Federation. Reviews reconcile commitments under treaties like the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and interoperability expectations with partners such as the European Union and Australia. Outputs include white papers, capability roadmaps, and budgetary baselines used by finance ministries and parliamentary oversight bodies including the Treasury (United Kingdom) and the Congressional Budget Office.

Historical Evolution

Defence reviews evolved after major conflicts and crises: early modern precedents appear after the Napoleonic Wars and institutionalized practice followed the Second World War with the creation of entities such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Cold War reviews responded to confrontations like the Cuban Missile Crisis and strategic architectures including the Mutual Assured Destruction doctrine; post-Cold War iterations addressed operations seen in the Gulf War (1991) and Kosovo War. The 21st century introduced reviews shaped by the 9/11 attacks, counterinsurgency campaigns in Afghanistan, and cyber challenges highlighted by incidents like the Stuxnet operation. Industrial policy integration grew alongside procurement scandals exemplified by controversies around programs such as the F-35 Lightning II.

Scope and Methodology

Methodologies combine threat analysis from agencies such as the National Security Agency with capability assessments from services like the Royal Navy, United States Army, Air Force, and Marines. Reviews use scenario-based planning drawing on historical cases including the Battle of Britain and Operation Desert Storm to model force requirements. They integrate cost-estimation techniques from organizations like the Office of Management and Budget and acquisition frameworks such as the Pentagon's Defense Acquisition System. Stakeholder consultation involves industry groups like the Association of the United States Army, think tanks such as the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and legislative committees including the Senate Armed Services Committee. Metrics include readiness indicators used by commands like Northern Command and capability gaps prioritized by joint staff directorates.

Key Findings and Recommendations

Common findings identify gaps in sustainment, logistics, and strategic lift as seen during deployments to theaters like Iraq and Afghanistan. Reviews often recommend procurement of platforms similar to the Boeing KC-46, investments in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance exemplified by programs like MQ-9 Reaper, and modernization of nuclear deterrent forces analogous to Trident or Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent. Cyber defense measures reference institutions such as US Cyber Command and NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. Emphasis on industrial resilience draws on models from the Defense Production Act and national strategies used by states such as France and Germany. Recommendations typically balance near-term readiness for crises like Maritime disputes in the South China Sea with long-term transformation toward multi-domain operations modeled on Joint All-Domain Command and Control concepts.

Strategic and Policy Implications

Findings influence alliance burden-sharing debates within NATO and bilateral relationships such as the US–UK Special Relationship. They affect treaty compliance obligations under instruments like the Non-Proliferation Treaty and contribute to deterrence postures relevant to flashpoints including the Taiwan Strait. Policy shifts can reorient industrial base strategy toward sovereign capability priorities reflected in programs like Project Tempest and collaboration mechanisms such as the AUKUS partnership. Reviews also shape doctrine at institutions like the Military Academy of the United States and curricula at war colleges such as the United States Army War College and the Royal College of Defence Studies.

Implementation, Monitoring, and Costs

Implementation plans assign responsibilities to departments including the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) and to service headquarters such as Headquarters Marine Corps. Monitoring mechanisms include parliamentary oversight by bodies like the Public Accounts Committee and audit functions from organizations like the Government Accountability Office. Cost estimates and affordability assessments reference models used by the Congressional Budget Office and procurement schedules anchored to programs such as the Zumwalt-class destroyer and Eurofighter Typhoon. Risk management addresses budget overruns and schedule slips evidenced in past programs like the Littoral Combat Ship; contingency planning uses reserve components such as the National Guard and mobilization frameworks like those exercised during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Category:Defense policy