UK Boosts Defence in Biggest Military Shakeup Since Cold War to Counter Russia

In a bold move set to redefine Britain’s military future, Defence Secretary John Healey has declared the upcoming strategic defence review as a direct “message to Moscow” — signaling the UK’s strongest response to Russian aggression since the end of the Cold War. With cyberattacks targeting UK defence networks daily and geopolitical tensions mounting, the review promises a sweeping military overhaul that blends firepower with digital resilience.

Announced on national television and set to be officially unveiled on Monday, the review is expected to outline a “new era of threat” and commit the UK to spending £1.5 billion to build six new weapons factories. This surge in investment will elevate munitions spending to £6 billion over the current parliament and create 1,800 new jobs, reinforcing Britain’s industrial defence base — and its readiness for war, should diplomacy fail.

“This isn’t just about building bombs. It’s about building strength — militarily and economically,” said the Defence Secretary during his visit to a missile production site in Stevenage. The facility, where Storm Shadow long-range missiles are assembled, symbolizes the government’s dual-pronged mission: strengthening armed forces while reviving domestic manufacturing. Up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons, including drones and advanced missiles, will be procured.

But traditional warfare isn’t the only concern. Healey revealed that Russia is launching cyberattacks on UK military networks every single day, contributing to a staggering 90,000 attacks in just the past two years. To counter these threats, the review will establish a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, a unit set to operate both defensively and offensively alongside the National Cyber Force. Its roles include jamming drone signals, intercepting enemy communications, and disabling command networks — hallmarks of modern warfare.

Analysts say this is the most comprehensive defence overhaul since the Soviet Union’s collapse, with military and cybersecurity strategies now deeply intertwined. The review is led by Lord George Robertson, former NATO Secretary-General, and builds on lessons learned from the ongoing war in Ukraine, where western weapon shortages exposed critical production gaps.

“The war in Ukraine was a wake-up call,” said Healey. “If you can’t make the weapons you need when you need them, you lose your edge.” This sentiment echoes longstanding warnings by former UK military leaders who’ve cautioned that the British army could run out of ammunition in less than two weeks in the event of full-scale war. The renewed focus on sustained production aims to ensure the UK never finds itself in that position again.

While the current government has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, equivalent to an additional £13 billion annually, it has also laid out ambitions to push that figure to 3% by the early 2030s. However, critics, including opposition MPs and defence experts, argue that the timeline lacks urgency. The Conservative Party, now in opposition, has pushed for 3% to be reached within this parliament itself, warning that future delays could leave the UK vulnerable.

The debate over military expansion also includes nuclear capability. Though Healey declined to confirm reports of the UK negotiating the purchase of American tactical nuclear-capable aircraft, he reiterated that the country’s nuclear deterrent “remains the ultimate guarantee of security” — something he says Russian President Vladimir Putin “fears most.”

With the next general election on the horizon and global threats rapidly evolving, Britain’s pivot toward robust defence investment is no longer just strategy — it’s survival. Healey summed it up best: “We prepare for war not because we want it, but because being ready is what keeps peace alive.”