London, June 3 — The UK has just released its latest Strategic Defence Review, and it doesn’t mince words about Russia — calling it an “immediate and pressing threat.” Alongside this warning, the UK reaffirmed its commitment to backing Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke candidly about rising concerns over what he described as increasing “Russian aggression” — not just near British waters and skies but also in the digital realm, highlighting growing cyber threats. The Russian Embassy in London quickly dismissed these claims, signaling the ongoing tensions.
The review paints a picture of a Russia that’s aggressively modernizing and expanding its military in ways that could pose lasting dangers. It points out risks across various fronts: from space and cyberspace to undersea warfare, and even in chemical and biological weapons. The report warns that if Russia’s war economy keeps going strong, it could rapidly rebuild its forces even if a ceasefire happens in Ukraine.
China also gets its own spotlight in the review, described as a “sophisticated and persistent challenge.” With its fast-growing technology and global ambitions, China is expected to keep pushing hard — using espionage, cyber-attacks, and both legal and illegal ways to grab valuable intellectual property.
One of the most significant commitments from the UK is a pledge to keep sending military aid to Ukraine, with an estimated cost of about £3 billion ($4 billion) annually — for “as long as it takes.” The review also suggests creating new partnerships with Ukraine and opening up fresh market opportunities for them.
The conflict in Ukraine has taught the UK some hard lessons, especially about the use of drones and hybrid warfare. The Defence Ministry says it will apply these lessons to better prepare its own forces. To boost domestic production, the UK plans to invest around £6 billion in building munitions factories, including at least six new facilities. This isn’t just about defence—it’s also about creating jobs and driving growth across the country.
The review also announced plans to build up to 7,000 new long-range weapons, aiming to strengthen Europe’s defence and support about 800 new jobs.
This strategic review comes at a time when the UK is planning to increase its military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The last review came out in 2021, but the war in Ukraine has clearly pushed the UK to rethink and strengthen its defence posture.
On the other side, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently told US journalist Tucker Carlson that Russia has no intention of attacking NATO countries. Putin accused Western leaders of exaggerating the Russian threat to distract people from domestic problems. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to voice concerns about NATO’s military build-up near its borders, insisting it does not seek conflict but will react to threats to its interests.
