UK Defence in a Dangerous World: Can We Do What is Needed?

By Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham

Message from the Editor

Jeremy Blackham considers the socioeconomic and strategic consequences of climbing defence spending. A public overly focused on the high capital costs of procurement increases the risk of allowing deterrence to fail. Originally published by Cityforum (https://www.cityforum.co.uk/uk-defence-in-a-dangerous-world-by-sir-jeremy-blackham/). A 25 minute read.

“If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” The Problem Those of us who have, for the last decade or so, been drawing attention to the clear mismatch between the expressed aspirations of recent defence reviews and our own military capability at a time of considerable danger, will have derived at least some encouragement from the recent growing call from many quarters, including the Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, for an increase in our defence provision. The response has been a commitment from the Prime Minister on 23 April 2024 that defence expend…

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