{"id":14534,"date":"2020-02-26T17:41:41","date_gmt":"2020-02-26T17:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/02\/26\/british-prime-minister-sets-deadline-for-defense-foreign-policy-review\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:25:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:25:43","slug":"british-prime-minister-sets-deadline-for-defense-foreign-policy-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2020\/02\/26\/british-prime-minister-sets-deadline-for-defense-foreign-policy-review\/","title":{"rendered":"British prime minister sets deadline for defense, foreign policy review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LONDON \u2014 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially launched the foreign policy, defense, security and international development review<\/a>, which he expects will be completed this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnson said the review, which he promised to undertake<\/a> during the general election campaign late last year, will be the largest integrated effort of its type since the end of the Cold War. He set out the broad terms to Parliament on Feb. 26 of what could be a radical rethink of Britain\u2019s role in the world<\/a> now that is has left the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to grasp the opportunities of the next decade and deliver upon the Government\u2019s priorities. This is a defining moment in how the UK relates to the rest of the world and we want to take this unique opportunity to reassess our priorities and our approach to delivering them,\u201d Johnson wrote in a statement to lawmakers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Topping the list of objectives outlined in the statement was to define the government\u2019s \u201cambition for the UK\u2019s role in the world and set out the long-term strategic aims for national security and foreign policy.\u201d The review will also \u201cdetermine the capabilities we need for the next decade and beyond to pursue our objectives and address the risks and threats we face,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National media reported cited government sources as saying the review will not be \u201ccost neutral\u201d \u2014 a phrase interpreted as meaning additional funds might be available to the Ministry of Defence. However, that\u2019s unlikely to see the MoD avoid capability cuts; it already has a funding hole in its 10-year equipment plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possible cuts to the size of the Army and reductions in the numbers of main battle tanks were mooted by some in the media as possible targets. Both have previously been targets for cuts in recent reviews. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of conventional weapons, the government wants to invest in space<\/a>, cyber and information system capabilities. A statement released by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office reemphasized the point, saying the review will look at \u201chow we can better use technology and data to adjust to the changing nature of threats we face \u2014 from countering hostile state activity to strengthening our armed forces. All this will be undertaken with the aim of creating a more coherent and strategic approach to our overseas activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (2nd L) flies a Black Hornet nano drone during a meeting with military personnel on Salisbury plain training area on Sept. 19, 2019, in Salisbury, England. (Photo by Ben Stansall – WPA Pool\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Peter Roberts, the director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London, cautioned the government against taking that approach too far in a paper on the integrated review released last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe MoD and government need to consider cyber, information and sub-threshold warfare and the UK needs to be ready and able to engage in this, but it should not hide behind euphemisms or think that all conflict can be fought in the sterile space of data. Pretending that future war will be bloodless, limited to creating virtual or cyber casualties, makes the carnage of real war more likely. As does being unclear about what behaviour is unacceptable or the consequences of behaving badly,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe integrated review needs to provide the right sized hammer [hard power] for the government\u2019s toolbox and clarity on how it will be used,\u201d Roberts added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about Johnson\u2019s deadline?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A statement released by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office said the review will run in \u201cparallel to the Government comprehensive spending review, ensuring departments are equipped with the resources they need to enact the review\u2019s conclusions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Britain\u2019s comprehensive spending review, expected later this year, is meant to set firm, multiyear spending limits across all government departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main bulk of the [newly launched] review is expected to conclude in line with the comprehensive spending review later this year, although implementation of its recommendations will be a multi-year project,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But some analysts are concerned the review will suffer under such a tight timescale. Independent analyst John Louth said its unlikely complete findings will be available this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think we will see the main themes ready by the end of the summer, but it might take a while before we see the full picture. A lot of the detail associated with the review will likely come later, things like force structure, new investment, what goes, what stays \u2014 that will take longer,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\t