Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015
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| Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 |
| Date | 2015 |
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Outcome | Defence policy update, force structure changes, procurement decisions |
Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 was a major United Kingdom defence and security policy statement issued in 2015 that updated priorities first articulated in the 2010 review and adjusted force posture in light of operations such as those in Afghanistan and Syria. The review addressed issues ranging from nuclear deterrence to expeditionary forces, linking decisions to strategic contexts like the Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), European Union security debates, and rising tensions with the Russian Federation following the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
Background
The review was produced under the premiership of David Cameron and the premiership-in-parliament of the Conservative Party (UK) in coalition dynamics that echoed earlier defence settlements like the 2010 SDSR and international agreements such as the NATO Strategic Concept. Its timing reflected geopolitical shifts after events including the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant campaign in Iraq and Syria, and debates within the United Kingdom Parliament about defence procurement exemplified by controversies over projects like the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) carrier programme and the Typhoon (aircraft) order.
Key Decisions and Capability Changes
The review announced force structure adjustments affecting the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force, extending commitments to carrier strike capability centered on the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) and HMS Prince of Wales (R09), while reshaping brigade and naval numbers. It prioritized expeditionary platforms related to operations reminiscent of the Falklands War contingency planning and interoperability with allies such as United States forces and frameworks including the Five Eyes intelligence partnership. Decisions also influenced procurement lines like the F-35 Lightning II acquisition, the ongoing Type 26 frigate programme, and the future of armoured formations linked to equipment such as the Challenger 2 tank.
Defence Spending and Procurement
Budget commitments in the review aimed to meet NATO defence spending benchmarks and respond to fiscal constraints associated with austerity policies debated in the House of Commons. Financial allocations affected capital programmes for platforms like the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and the Astute-class submarine, while procurement choices balanced between domestic suppliers such as BAE Systems and international contractors like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The review reflected tensions seen in earlier procurement controversies including the Al-Yamamah arms deal legacy and parliamentary scrutiny akin to inquiries into the Arms-to-Iraq affair.
Nuclear Deterrent and Trident Renewal
A central element was confirmation of the continuous at-sea deterrent centred on the Vanguard-class submarine fleet and the commitment to successor programmes, engaging debates similar to those surrounding the Trident nuclear programme, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and discussions in the House of Lords and House of Commons. The decision intersected with legal and political debates involving figures such as Jeremy Corbyn and organisations like Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and was framed against strategic assessments tied to the Cold War legacy and post-Cold War nuclear policy dialogues involving actors such as the United States and Russia.
Overseas Commitments and Force Posture
The review addressed expeditionary commitments and the posture of forces deployed to theatres linked to the Iraq War, the Syrian Civil War, and NATO operations in Afghanistan. It set parameters for engagement with coalitions resembling the anti-Islamic State campaign and reinforced ties to forward basing arrangements with partners like United States European Command nodes and NATO battlegroups in Eastern Europe established after Russian intervention in Ukraine (2014–present). The review also informed contributions to operations like Operation Shader and peacekeeping frameworks under mandates similar to those of the United Nations.
Domestic Security and Civil Contingencies
The review linked defence responsibilities to domestic resilience capacity for emergencies such as major incidents akin to those managed under legislation like the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and coordinated with agencies including MI5, MI6, and GCHQ. It considered force roles in counter-terrorism contexts involving networks related to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, and addressed protective security tasks alongside policing organisations exemplified by the Metropolitan Police Service and strategic frameworks comparable to the CONTEST strategy.
Reactions and Impact
Responses spanned political parties including the Labour Party (UK), think tanks like the Royal United Services Institute and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, trade unions representing defence workers, and defence industry stakeholders such as Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and BAE Systems. Analysts compared the review's outcomes to prior strategic documents like the 2010 SDSR and subsequent policy shifts influenced by events such as the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum. The review's medium-term effects were visible in equipment orders, force structure evolution, parliamentary debates, and the United Kingdom's role within alliances like NATO and bilateral partnerships with the United States and Commonwealth countries.