01174 621101
Colin Turner, CEO of WEAF, commented: “WEAF welcomes the publication of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The SDR outlines a bold shift towards rapid, innovation-driven transformation of UK defence. It emphasises a wartime pace of innovation, with increased defence spending – 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and ambitions for 3%.”
The SDR focusses on:
- European security, stronger armed forces, and a safer world.
- Increased investment in uncrewed and naval systems.
- A rapid pace of innovation to support warfighting readiness.
Over recent months, the HM Government has been sourcing comments and feedback on UK defence and its capabilities, the outcome was “The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad” published on Monday 2 June.
In a statement to the House of Commons yesterday, Defence Secretary John Healey spoke on this new era for defence, he said: “[…] in a more dangerous world, the SDR confirms that we must move to warfighting readiness. Warfighting readiness means stronger deterrence. We need stronger deterrence to avoid the huge costs, human and economic that wars create. And we prevent wars by being strong enough to fight and win them.”
According to UK MOD’s press release, over £4 billion of funding will go towards autonomous systems to shape the UK’s future military which will increase export potential. The other major announcement was that the UK will build 12 new attack submarines.
The SDR prioritises nuclear deterrence, hybrid air and naval capabilities, and autonomous, AI-enabled land and air forces. It calls for the UK to lead NATO in technological edge and procurement agility. Key technology areas of focus include AI, cyber, space, autonomy, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.
Furthermore, WEAF is encouraged by the recognition of a new collaboration with industry within the SDR, which will be vital for ensuring the UK’s cutting-edge defence innovations and its warfighting readiness.
The South West is a vital defence hub, hosting major aerospace and defence companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, Boeing, MBDA, BAE Systems, Moog, Safran and Babcock, with expert clusters in aerospace, naval, helicopters, and cyber/space.
The region has a significant defence industry, contributing £2.8 billion in GVA and supporting over 61,000 highly skilled jobs. According to UK Government, UK MOD expenditure directly supported 33,600 jobs in the South West in 2022/23.
In response, WEAF is developing its SDR Strategy & Engagement Plan. This will provide a framework for WEAF to collaborate and support SDR implementation across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technology.
The plan will align with the key SDR themes of accelerated procurement, regional clusters, SME engagement, and skills development.
Colin continued: “The SDR 2025 offers a transformative opportunity for the South West. With strong industrial assets, innovation clusters, and research institutions, the region can align directly with national defence priorities.
“Realising this potential will require coordinated action across academia, industry, and policy. With proactive engagement, the South West can become the UK’s leading defence innovation engine.”
As more details on specific programmes emerge, WEAF will monitor and keep all stakeholders updated on the SDR.
Sources:
The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad – GOV.UK
Understanding the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent