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| National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 |
| Date | November 2015 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Published by | Her Majesty's Government |
| Type | Strategic defence review |
National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 was a comprehensive British strategic document published in November 2015 that set priorities for national defence, intelligence, resilience and international engagement. It updated earlier strategic assessments and aimed to align Ministry of Defence planning with threats identified by MI5, GCHQ, and Joint Intelligence Committee assessments. The review influenced force structure decisions affecting the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force while reaffirming commitments to NATO and partnerships with the United States, European Union, and Commonwealth states.
The review followed the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 and the strategic context set by events such as the annexation of Crimea, the ISIL insurgency, and the Syrian Civil War. It was developed under the administration of David Cameron with inputs from institutions including the Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HM Treasury, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Cross-departmental work drew on reports from NATO Defence Planning Process, the UN Security Council, and lessons from operations in Iraq War and Afghanistan. Parliamentary scrutiny involved the Defence Select Committee and debates in the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The document established priorities: protecting the UK and its citizens, promoting British prosperity, projecting global influence, and strengthening international stability through partnerships. It emphasized countering threats from state actors such as the Russian Federation, transnational terrorism linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIL, and risks from proliferation like Iranian nuclear proliferation concerns. Economic security considerations referenced interactions with the Bank of England and Her Majesty's Treasury. It also prioritized resilience against natural threats influenced by events like UK floods and pandemics monitored by Public Health England and the World Health Organization.
The review set out adjustments to the Royal Navy including sustaining the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier programme and carrier strike capability with F-35 Lightning II procurement. It reaffirmed commitments to the Trident submarine deterrent within the Trident renewal debate and decisions on Vanguard-class replacement. For the British Army it proposed increased rotational readiness and a force posture shift influenced by lessons from Operation Herrick and Operation Telic. The Royal Air Force plans included investments in Airbus A400M Atlas and Voyager aircraft. The review also addressed capabilities for Special Air Service and Special Boat Service operations and support to the United Nations peacekeeping and coalition operations.
Analyses referenced by the review drew on threat matrices developed by MI6, MI5, and GCHQ and focused on hybrid threats combining cyber, information operations, and conventional coercion as seen during the Russo-Ukrainian War (2014–present). It identified terrorism rooted in Islamist extremism and lone-actor attacks similar to incidents in 2015 Paris attacks as principal concerns. Proliferation risks mentioned included developments in Democratic People's Republic of Korea capabilities and the Iranian nuclear negotiations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Strategic deterrence discussions involved the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and NATO nuclear policy debates.
The review elevated cyber as a tier-one priority, directing resources to GCHQ and the newly emphasized National Cyber Security Centre and called for integration with NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. It addressed resilience planning for critical national infrastructure overseen by Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and called for collaboration with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. Measures included strengthening public-private partnerships with firms such as BAE Systems, Serco Group, and technology providers involved with Microsoft Corporation and telecommunications firms like BT Group.
The review reaffirmed the UK's commitment to NATO collective defence, supporting enhanced forward presence in Eastern Europe alongside allies such as the United States, Germany, Poland, and France. It committed to meeting NATO spending targets and participating in exercises like Trident Juncture. It outlined bilateral security cooperation with United States, Commonwealth partners including Australia and Canada, and EU defence collaboration mechanisms such as the European Defence Agency while navigating the implications of Brexit.
Implementation involved multiyear funding profiles coordinated with Her Majesty's Treasury and procurement managed by Defence Equipment and Support. The review sought efficiencies through frameworks like the Military Covenant obligations and announced savings targets while protecting core capabilities. Major procurement programmes referenced included Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, Type 45 destroyer, and F-35 Lightning II orders, with industrial strategy engagement involving firms such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce plc, and Babcock International. Oversight mechanisms included parliamentary reporting and review by the National Security Council.
Reactions ranged across the Labour Party, Conservative Party, Scottish National Party, and defence commentators in outlets like The Economist and The Guardian. Analysts praised the renewed focus on deterrence and cyber, while critics in Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and trade unions raised concerns about procurement risks and force reductions. The review influenced subsequent capabilities decisions, NATO posture changes, and informed debates during the 2017 general election and later strategic documents.