The UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlines a comprehensive strategy to modernise its military capabilities, placing technological innovation at the forefront. Central to this vision is the establishment of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), a new body with a dedicated £400 million annual budget, aimed at integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and quantum computing into defence operations.
The SDR identifies five core ambitions: enhancing warfighting readiness, prioritising NATO alliances, fostering industrial growth, advancing technology-driven innovation, and promoting a whole-of-society approach to defence. A key initiative is the development of a Digital Targeting Web, supported by a £1 billion investment, to enable rapid, integrated battlefield decisions by 2027.
The review also highlights the importance of a resilient technological and industrial base, recognising that national prosperity and military capability are mutually reinforcing. To achieve this, the UK aims to invest in sectors where military requirements exceed near-term civil demand, such as quantum sensing and advanced materials. Additionally, the creation of a Defence Investors’ Advisory Group is intended to unlock private investment and support the growth of UK-based technology leaders.
In response to lessons learned from recent conflicts, the SDR emphasises the need for rapid innovation cycles and reforming procurement processes to cut timelines dramatically. This approach ensures that novel ideas and dual-use technologies can find rapid pathways into the hands of the warfighter.
Overall, the 2025 SDR positions technological innovation as a cornerstone of the UK’s national security strategy, aiming to transform the armed forces into a more integrated, lethal, and adaptable force capable of addressing contemporary and future threats.
