Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Acknowledged
UK lacks readiness for contemporary war and urgent adoption of new technology
Conclusion
We are producing this Report prior to the publication of the Defence Investment Plan and as a result without the full picture of the future force posture. We timed this inquiry on the understanding that by now there would be an indication of broad prioritisation, if not specific investment decisions—because these hard choices were not in the published SDR and have not been announced since, we cannot examine them yet: we expect to do so as soon as possible. In order for the UK to play the appropriate leading role in European security, it must address its readiness for contemporary war and start adopting new technology at scale and pace. Time is short, given the urgency of the threat and the work required to respond appropriately. (Conclusion, Paragraph 21)
Government Response Summary
The government states it has accepted all 62 recommendations of the SDR, and implementation has begun promptly, to be refined through the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) process, which is being completed as soon as possible.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The SDR sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government has endorsed the Review’s vision and accepted all 62 recommendations. Implementation of the Review’s recommendations is priority business of the Department. It is being executed through a whole of UK Defence effort and driven through the reformed structures of Defence, with clear lines of accountability established and streamlined processes to support delivery and improved efficiency. The Review included a number of recommendations for the coming year, and work is underway to progress those at pace. Implementation planning and delivery for all recommendations has begun promptly and will be refined through the DIP process, which we are working flat out to complete as soon as possible. The DIP will turn the SDR’s vision and transformative recommendations into an affordable delivery plan. This plan will consider infrastructure and people, alongside warfighting capabilities, enable flexibility to seize new technological and innovative opportunities, and maximise the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. Defence’s new operating model and better ways of working will underpin the long-term delivery of the SDR recommendations. We will work closely with our key partners across Government, industry, and key allies, to bring innovation, growth, efficiency, and collaboration to support the implementation of the SDR.