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Future Defence Review Working Papers

A long-overdue Defence Review, expected to take place in 2010, must provide the opportunity to establish a comprehensive vision for Britain's armed forces.

Why should there be a Future Defence Review?

Britain's armed forces have evolved far beyond the vision set out for them in the last Strategic Defence Review, held in 1998. Both the economic crisis and the continued commitments in Afghanistan have further increased the void between current spending levels and a sustainable future for the armed forces.

Given this crisis, all the major political parties have now committed to holding a Defence Review after the next election in 2010. Whichever party forms the next government, the subsequent Defence Review must be fully comprehensive.

What should the review cover?

The review must go back to first principles by addressing the fundamental assumptions behind Britain's role in the world. It must assess all aspects of the funding and procurement of the equipment of the armed forces. The review must also be coordinated with the UK's national security strategy for dealing with terrorism and other threats to British society.

However, the next Defence Review must take a broader view beyond these other aspects of Britain's security. The building of new platforms and weapons can take decades to complete. The Review must work in a similar timescale. Decisions cannot wait until the moment is politically convenient.

RUSI and the Working Paper Series

The Royal United Services Institute is well placed to lead the discussion as the UK prepares to make these decisions for its future defence. This series of Future Defence Review Working Papers has been designed to provide independent analysis and opinion in a succinct and easily accessible form.

Published regularly from summer 2009 through to the 2010 election and beyond to the Review process itself, the series will engage politicians, academics, business and industry - and above all the public, and the men and women who serve them.   

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