UK defence review presages global capability upgrade

Significance

SDSR 2015 revealed significant defence commitment decisions. Many of these correct choices made in the preceding SDSR 2010, and constitute an implicit recognition that the government's previous emphasis on cuts and savings may have been an error.

Impacts

• The SDSR will boost Cameron's effort to win parliamentary backing for UK air strikes against Islamic State group (ISG) in Syria.
• UK-French cooperation will grow, including joint development of a combat drone, and a 10,000-strong Combined Joint Task Force due in 2016.
• Equipment decisions will boost firms including Lockeed Martin and Boeing (US), Dassault (France) and BAE, Rolls Royce and Babcock (UK).
• Higher defence spending, especially on replacing all four Trident nuclear submarines, will heighten political arguments over defence issues.
• A planned 30% cut to the Ministry of Defence's civilian workforce will have a negative impact, at least for a transitional period.