The strategic defence review: How much? How far? How joint is enough?

Abstract

Following a year of hard work, consultation and speculation, the Government's Strategic Defence Review was published on 8 July to general satisfaction, both with its overall content and with the con‐duct that led to it. While there is not much public discussion or debate on defence issues, the SDR does provide a baseline from which a wider discussion of what British forces are ‘for’ in the longer term security environment can take place. Michael Codner here delves into the SDR document and its accompanying essays to raise some issues for future explorations Reviewing the questions raised in the title, he also high‐lights the concept of ‘defence diplomacy’, and looks into the figures of military capabilities, the creation of a Chief of Joint Logistics, acquisition reform and the concentration on people issues. Finally, Michael Codner discusses the emphasis on jointery, pointing to some dramatic consequences that could spring from the process. The SDR, he concludes, opens a new chapter in the debate on Britain's future security needs and capabilities.