1998 Strategic Defence Review

SDR Cover

The 1998 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set out the new Labour Government’s defence policy. Precluded from the discussion, however, were the UK’s two largest defence procurement programmes, the Vanguard Class Trident submarine and the RAF’s Eurofighter (Typhoon). The SDR determined that Britain’s Armed Forces must be capable of undertaking a major military effort, similar in size to the first Gulf War, or an overseas deployment of smaller size but longer in timescale, while maintaining the capability of undertaking a second substantial deployment. The SDR confirmed the UK’s armed forces commitment to expand to meet the demands of NATO’s collective defence should a strategic threat materialise. An additional chapter was added following 9/11 with a greater emphasis on lighter forces and measures designed to improve Britain’s intelligence and Special Forces capabilities. Past RUSI articles examine the SDR and it’s effectiveness in light of the operational challenges of the twenty-first century.

Background RUSI Analysis

The strategic defence review
Secretary of State George Robertson sets out the issues and rationale behind the Strategic Defence Review, highlighting the emphasis of Government policy on ensuring Britain's security through capable and relevant forces, and a continuing commitment to collective defence through NA TO. Policy and planning must reflect the changed world and the new threats and challenges those changes pose. Britain has long been a force in international polities and security, but she is no longer a superpower. The central question of the Defence Review, and through it for the nation, is how much of a role Britain - the Government, the people and the Armed Forces - still wants to play and how much it can realistically sustain. (Oct. 1997)
By George Robertson (former Secretary of State for Defence)

The United Kingdom's strategic defence review: Strategic options
Michael Codner explores the major military options available to the Government, exploring their strategic implications. Highlighting three main strategic options - a contributory strategic concept, a gendarmerie option and an expeditionary concept - he then discusses the major trends in direction these could take - from high to low intensity capability, and to national autonomy, joint integration and coherence in British forces. (Aug. 1997)
By Michael Codner

The strategic defence review - British policy options
Following the announcement of the Strategic Defence Review, Dr Malcolm Chalmers examines the core issues of Britain's defence. In the move away from national towards collective defence, the question is posed how should Britain maintain her international influence? Dr Chalmers highlights the need to make choices of different capabilities based on geographical and functional priorities and concludes that while there must always be policy engagement in the wider world Britain's security concerns lie primarily in and with Europe and her forces should be structured accordingly within an ongoing commitment to the Alliance. (Aug. 1997)
By Malcolm Chalmers



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