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Defence review will balance national security with ‘sound’ finances – Healey
A review of the UK’s defence will balance the requirements for stronger national security with “sound public finances”, the defence secretary has said.
John Healey visited Joint Forces Command headquarters in Northwood, northwest London, on Monday where he met military personnel.
He was joined by former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, who will lead the UK defence review.
The review will aim to strengthen the UK’s internal security, support Ukraine in its fight against Russia and modernise and maintain the nuclear deterrent, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.
Mr Healey said the world was “changing fast” and the UK was in a “new era” for defence.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP (Liam McBurney/PA)
“The threats are growing,” he said.
“In these circumstances, it is right that we analyze the threats, the capabilities we need, the state of our armed forces, as well as the money available to finance them.
“This is how we balance, if you will, the requirements for stronger national security with the responsibilities for sound public finances.”
He was asked why it was necessary for the Government to carry out another review when the Conservative government published a review last year.
“Well, we’ve had two defense reviews in the last three years, and they’ve gone nowhere,” he said.
“This is the time to bring in those external reviewers who will work as experts with the internal expertise that is present in the MOD, our armed forces and other parts of government.
“This way, we can take a fresh look at the challenges we face in a first-of-its-kind Defence Review.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed his commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP (gross domestic product) at the NATO summit in Washington last week.
“This is a defence review that will put NATO at the heart of Britain’s defence policies in the future,” Healey said.
“We are a changed government. This is the moment of change for our defense policy and our defense strategy.
“These external reviewers will work with the experts internally to produce what could be a new direction for British defence.”
However, when asked whether he would commit to implementing the review’s recommendations, he said he could not say in advance that he would “totally agree” with them.
“There is clearly no one better suited than these three experts to lead this review for the new administration, but you cannot say in advance that you will fully agree with every recommendation they make,” he said.