The Shift in UK Defence Policy: Plans, Restrictions, Foreign Policy Implications

The Labour government has shifted the UK defence policy. In 2025, it released new National Security Strategy, Defence Review and Defence Industrial Strategy. The outlined documents and statements by the government set tasks for developing the defence industry, the defence procurement system, and public-private partnerships. They state the need to ensure the economic efficiency of the defence sector in order to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities and prepare for a major war, primarily against Russia. It includes boosting defence exports and expanding multilateral defence projects with partners. At the same time, economic protectionism is growing in the U.S., and the country continues its foreign policy shift towards Asia – a trend that the Trump administration significantly accelerated. Changes in the U.S. policy towards Europe and Ukraine fuel increased contradictions among European countries. Washington’s actions create objective limitations for multilateral defence cooperation in Europe. Alteration in NATO industrial planning and increases in defence spending targets lead to a growing U.S. share in European defence imports. This article employs a system approach, using qualitative content analysis, statistical analysis, and document analysis to examine long-term trends in British defence policy, statistical data, and official documents. It investigates long-term reductions in defence funding as well as in the number of personnel and military equipment in the armed forces since 1948. The study also examines government strategic documents, reports, and statements. The first conclusion: past long-term reductions in defence potential, current socio-economic problems, and shifts in the U.S. policy towards Europe mean that the British government will likely fail to implement its outlined plans fully, and the UK will not achieve the declared level of defence capability. The second conclusion: the task of increasing defence exports will drive greater assertiveness in British foreign policy and lead to deeper involvement in military conflicts worldwide.