Strategic Reset: Why the UK Is Rebuilding Its Defence Around NATO
The United Kingdom is entering a new phase in its defence policy, driven by an evolving international security landscape and a clear recognition that NATO must be at the core of its strategic planning. In response to growing threats from Russia, Iran, North Korea and China, the UK has embraced a “NATO first” principle in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. This principle affirms that British armed forces must be structured, equipped and trained primarily to contribute to NATO’s collective deterrence. As global tensions rise, the era of post-Cold War peace dividends is over. The UK’s security is now understood as inseparable from the strength and cohesion of the Alliance. As Lord Robertson argues, NATO provides not just military reassurance but a framework for industrial and diplomatic coordination that multiplies the UK’s national power.
The decision to raise UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 3% by 2030, alongside NATO’s collective 5% commitment by 2035, reflects this strategic pivot. These figures may appear abstract, but they signal a massive redirection of national priorities. Defence, once considered a secondary concern, is now being treated as essential state infrastructure. The Review recommends that every military and policy decision start with a single question: how does it advance NATO’s objectives? This approach reorients the UK’s defence doctrine around deterrence, interoperability and strategic signalling. It also recognises that without credible armed forces embedded in NATO’s integrated structures, the UK risks strategic irrelevance in a world marked by systemic confrontation and technological disruption.
The Review does not limit its focus to traditional military tools. It calls for an overhaul of UK defence in the Digital Age, recognising that war is no longer fought solely with tanks and jets. Technologies like AI, autonomy, cyber capabilities, secure data systems and quantum computing are now central to national power. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how drone warfare, electromagnetic disruption and precision targeting define modern conflict. 80% of Ukrainian casualties reportedly result from one-way attack drones. The UK is therefore investing heavily in autonomous systems and establishing a new Drone Centre, allocating £1 billion to digital integration. NATO’s innovation programmes—particularly the NATO Innovation Fund and DIANA—are identified as critical partners in maintaining technological relevance across the Alliance.
Crucially, the Review connects defence with national industry and society. It argues that UK defence must be a driver of economic growth and industrial renewal. Defence currently supports 440,000 jobs, a figure expected to grow through investments in missile production, joint procurement, and infrastructure modernisation. A key recommendation is a transformed relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the private sector, based on flexible procurement, innovation partnerships, and incentives for R&D. The UK is already seeing results: Tekever, a European firm specialising in AI-powered drones, announced a £400 million investment into the UK defence sector. Furthermore, societal resilience is now recognised as integral to deterrence. The planned Defence Readiness Bill and voluntary armed forces ‘Gap Year’ scheme are designed to foster public awareness, unity, and preparedness in times of crisis.
Finally, the UK’s Strategic Defence Review is framed not simply as a domestic reform, but as a call to action within NATO. With Europe’s security environment deteriorating, Britain’s leadership within the Alliance is vital. The newly proposed Combined UK-French Corps, the expansion of NATO’s strategic reserve, and new missile defence initiatives like DIAMOND show that Britain is stepping up. The vision is clear: a UK defence posture built to deter aggression, lead within NATO, and support industrial and technological sovereignty. This Review is not just a policy document; it is a roadmap for navigating the uncertainties of the 21st century. For the UK, “NATO first” is no longer a slogan—it is the foundation of its security, prosperity, and international credibility.