OPINION
Keir Starmer's strategic defence review is not enough (Image: PA)
The latest defence review looks tough on paper. In reality, it’s all spin and no steel. Britain’s Armed Forces are being hollowed out. The Army is shrinking. The Navy’s short of sailors. The RAF can’t train enough pilots. Across all three services, the biggest crisis isn’t equipment — it’s people. And no amount of flashy tech will fix that.
Ministers have been dazzled by drones, cyber, and artificial intelligence. But here’s the truth: you can’t fight a war with a laptop. You still need boots on the ground, crews in the air, and ships that sail with full complements. The Government says it will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence. But that figure was plucked out of thin air.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
How Much Money Should You Have Before Hiring a Financial Advisor?SmartAsset | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Six new 'bomb factories' to be built across UK in message to Putin
99 Comments
Royal Navy unveils incredible ￡250m warship in major show of strength to Putin
25 Comments
Britain's armed forces are hollowed out - we need to be ready to fight a war
92 Comments
US declares new sanctions as footage reveals chemical weapons being used in civil war
3 Comments
Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters
4 Comments
British soldiers 'forced to buy their own kit' ahead of deployment to Putin's border
45 Comments
Putin's warmongering means we must realise what he fears about UK's capability
85 Comments
UK military runs largest ever AI trial in real-world combat simulation
15 Comments
Pilot's 'most beautiful view' from cockpit was spotted in ‘breathtaking' UK territory
Comments
From SAS missions to family emergencies: Des Powell's life lessons in crisis management
Comments
Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'
145 Comments
Government to go to war with banks using ‘woke' rules to block defence funding
5 Comments
BBC's Laura Kuenssberg sparks backlash as viewers issue same complaint: 'Waste of time'
66 Comments
Russian army chaos as casualties hit 1,500 a day and soldiers desert their units
8 Comments
Salma Hayek, 58,Shows Her Huge Size In New PhotosWooryFood | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
I read bombshell defence review of UK armed forces - here are 11 things you need to know
58 Comments
Britain to build up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines to counter Russian threat
386 Comments
Mature Dating Starts TodaySecretmeet | Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
Inside the major Defence Review as UK poised for military high-tech revolution
6 Comments
Hi-tech US drones earmarked for British Royal Navy aircraft carriers
10 Comments
The Secret Revealed: Why All Hummingbirds Go to My Neighbor's GardenSherem | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Jack Straw: 'taxes will have to rise' in response to new defence era amid Russia threat
12 Comments
Taiwan panic as China hints it's ready to launch full-scale invasion as WW3 fears erupt
29 Comments
Get Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro at a low priceMedvi | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Six new 'bomb factories' to be built across UK in message to Putin
99 Comments
Royal Navy unveils incredible ￡250m warship in major show of strength to Putin
25 Comments
Here's Why Christina Hall Loves This 1-Day Bathroom Remodel ServiceSmart Lifestyle Trends | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Britain's armed forces are hollowed out - we need to be ready to fight a war
92 Comments
US declares new sanctions as footage reveals chemical weapons being used in civil war
3 Comments
Hoda Kotb, 60, Takes off Her Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words.WooryFood | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters
4 Comments
British soldiers 'forced to buy their own kit' ahead of deployment to Putin's border
45 Comments
Dating for Senior SinglesMeetheage | Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
Putin's warmongering means we must realise what he fears about UK's capability
85 Comments
UK military runs largest ever AI trial in real-world combat simulation
15 Comments
Seniors Can Now Fly Business Class For the Price Of EconomyInsider | Travel Deals | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Pilot's 'most beautiful view' from cockpit was spotted in ‘breathtaking' UK territory
Comments
From SAS missions to family emergencies: Des Powell's life lessons in crisis management
Comments
Best Dating Site for Mature Singles 45+Mature Dating | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'
145 Comments
Government to go to war with banks using ‘woke' rules to block defence funding
5 Comments
Sarah Palin, 61,Shows Her Huge Size In New PhotosGolfhooked | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
BBC's Laura Kuenssberg sparks backlash as viewers issue same complaint: 'Waste of time'
66 Comments
Russian army chaos as casualties hit 1,500 a day and soldiers desert their units
8 Comments
I read bombshell defence review of UK armed forces - here are 11 things you need to know
58 Comments
Britain to build up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines to counter Russian threat
386 Comments
Inside the major Defence Review as UK poised for military high-tech revolution
6 Comments
Hi-tech US drones earmarked for British Royal Navy aircraft carriers
10 Comments
Jack Straw: 'taxes will have to rise' in response to new defence era amid Russia threat
12 Comments
Taiwan panic as China hints it's ready to launch full-scale invasion as WW3 fears erupt
29 Comments
Six new 'bomb factories' to be built across UK in message to Putin
99 Comments
Royal Navy unveils incredible ￡250m warship in major show of strength to Putin
25 Comments
Britain's armed forces are hollowed out - we need to be ready to fight a war
92 Comments
US declares new sanctions as footage reveals chemical weapons being used in civil war
3 Comments
Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters
4 Comments
British soldiers 'forced to buy their own kit' ahead of deployment to Putin's border
45 Comments
Putin's warmongering means we must realise what he fears about UK's capability
85 Comments
Don't miss... 'Shaky' Keir Starmer brutally grilled over latest U-turn as he dodges questions [LATEST]
You don’t build strategy backwards from a budget. First, you identify the threats. Then, you work out what’s needed to face them. Only then do you look at the cost.
Right now, we’re designing a fire engine to fit in a parking space — and hoping it still puts out fires. Promotion in the military is too slow and too top-heavy. There are too many senior officers doing paperwork, not enough junior ranks to do the actual fighting. If we want to keep talent and save money, we need a proper shake-up.
Powered By
00:00/00:36
10 Sec
11.6K
1
Minister for the Armed Forces quizzed on defence review
Next
Stay
And don’t get me started on procurement. From Ajax tanks to aircraft carriers without enough jets, the UK’s track record is embarrassing. We spend billions on gear that doesn’t work, arrives late, or becomes obsolete before it’s delivered.
Sponsored
SmartAsset | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Top 5 Wealth Management Firms in The United States
Undo
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Take tanks. We’re ordering just 148 new Challenger 3s. It sounds impressive, but a credible force would need over 500. At that level, it’s a token — not a real capability.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Six new 'bomb factories' to be built across UK in message to Putin
99 Comments
Royal Navy unveils incredible ￡250m warship in major show of strength to Putin
25 Comments
Britain's armed forces are hollowed out - we need to be ready to fight a war
92 Comments
US declares new sanctions as footage reveals chemical weapons being used in civil war
3 Comments
Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters
4 Comments
British soldiers 'forced to buy their own kit' ahead of deployment to Putin's border
45 Comments
Putin's warmongering means we must realise what he fears about UK's capability
85 Comments
UK military runs largest ever AI trial in real-world combat simulation
15 Comments
Pilot's 'most beautiful view' from cockpit was spotted in ‘breathtaking' UK territory
Comments
From SAS missions to family emergencies: Des Powell's life lessons in crisis management
Comments
Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'
144 Comments
Government to go to war with banks using ‘woke' rules to block defence funding
5 Comments
BBC's Laura Kuenssberg sparks backlash as viewers issue same complaint: 'Waste of time'
66 Comments
Russian army chaos as casualties hit 1,500 a day and soldiers desert their units
8 Comments
What Really Happens If You Drink Bottled Water DailyWater Health Experts | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
I read bombshell defence review of UK armed forces - here are 11 things you need to know
58 Comments
Britain to build up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines to counter Russian threat
386 Comments
Keep Your Mind Sharp With SudokuClassic Soduku | Sponsored Sponsored
Download
Undo
Inside the major Defence Review as UK poised for military high-tech revolution
6 Comments
Hi-tech US drones earmarked for British Royal Navy aircraft carriers
10 Comments
God’s people need youIFCJ | The Fellowship | Sponsored Sponsored
Donate Now
Undo
Jack Straw: 'taxes will have to rise' in response to new defence era amid Russia threat
12 Comments
Taiwan panic as China hints it's ready to launch full-scale invasion as WW3 fears erupt
29 Comments
I’m partnering with IFCJIFCJ | The Fellowship | Sponsored Sponsored
Donate Now
Undo
Six new 'bomb factories' to be built across UK in message to Putin
99 Comments
Royal Navy unveils incredible ￡250m warship in major show of strength to Putin
25 Comments
Milana, 38, Shows Her Huge Size In New Photos.Paperela | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Britain's armed forces are hollowed out - we need to be ready to fight a war
92 Comments
US declares new sanctions as footage reveals chemical weapons being used in civil war
3 Comments
Dating for Senior Singles in NevadaMature Dating | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters
4 Comments
British soldiers 'forced to buy their own kit' ahead of deployment to Putin's border
45 Comments
Mature Singles, 50+ UsersInstantalks | Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
Putin's warmongering means we must realise what he fears about UK's capability
85 Comments
UK military runs largest ever AI trial in real-world combat simulation
15 Comments
$99 Hearing Aids Better Than $2500 Ones?Senior Vitality Magazine | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Pilot's 'most beautiful view' from cockpit was spotted in ‘breathtaking' UK territory
Comments
From SAS missions to family emergencies: Des Powell's life lessons in crisis management
Comments
Dermatologist Says These Are The Top 17 Beauty Products Of 2025Life'd Beauty | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Labour threatens UK households with 'bathtime tax' in 'war on family homes'
144 Comments
Government to go to war with banks using ‘woke' rules to block defence funding
5 Comments
Beat Tariff Volatility with a High-Yield Savings AccountNerdWallet | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
BBC's Laura Kuenssberg sparks backlash as viewers issue same complaint: 'Waste of time'
66 Comments
Russian army chaos as casualties hit 1,500 a day and soldiers desert their units
8 Comments
I read bombshell defence review of UK armed forces - here are 11 things you need to know
58 Comments
Britain to build up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines to counter Russian threat
386 Comments
Inside the major Defence Review as UK poised for military high-tech revolution
6 Comments
Hi-tech US drones earmarked for British Royal Navy aircraft carriers
10 Comments
Jack Straw: 'taxes will have to rise' in response to new defence era amid Russia threat
12 Comments
Taiwan panic as China hints it's ready to launch full-scale invasion as WW3 fears erupt
29 Comments
Six new 'bomb factories' to be built across UK in message to Putin
99 Comments
Royal Navy unveils incredible ￡250m warship in major show of strength to Putin
25 Comments
Britain's armed forces are hollowed out - we need to be ready to fight a war
92 Comments
US declares new sanctions as footage reveals chemical weapons being used in civil war
3 Comments
Japan preps for WW3 by doubling underground fallout shelters
4 Comments
British soldiers 'forced to buy their own kit' ahead of deployment to Putin's border
45 Comments
Putin's warmongering means we must realise what he fears about UK's capability
85 Comments
This Tiny Camera is Replacing Security Systems—No Fees, No WiresSecret Scope Camera
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Remodeling Star: Cheapest Way To Get A Walk In Shower In NevadaSmart Lifestyle Trends
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nevada: Govt Will Cover The Cost Of Solar For Eligible Homeowners In These Zip CodesEnergy Bill Cruncher
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Social Security Recipients Under $2,384/Mo Now Entitled To 12 "Kickbacks" This Month (Tap for List)SuperSavings
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Some things we simply can’t afford to do anymore. Better to admit it and invest where we can still make a difference, rather than pretend we can do it all.
Labour’s talk of hitting 3% of GDP by the 2030s is just as hollow. No government plans 10 years ahead. It’s political theatre — not defence policy.
Britain doesn’t need more slogans. It needs honesty. We’re not ready for the threats we face. And unless we act fast, we won’t be able to fight the next war — let alone win it.