In a series of high-profile events held in London, the United Kingdom has convened comprehensive defence consultations to address escalating global security challenges and reinforce its military capabilities.
The London Defence Conference 2024, held at King’s College London, focused on the theme “Deterrence: Building Capacity to Counter Global Threats.” Keynote addresses by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted concerns over increasing collaboration between Russia and China, particularly in supplying combat equipment to Ukraine. Shapps reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising defence spending from 2% to 2.5% of GDP, emphasizing the need for robust deterrence strategies in the face of evolving threats.
In parallel, the UK government announced plans to establish a new Defence Industrial Council aimed at enhancing collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, technology companies, start-ups, industry giants, and other stakeholders. Defence Secretary John Healey outlined initiatives to involve a broader range of voices, including small and medium-sized businesses, in the council. This move seeks to foster innovation in defence by working with tech firms, entrepreneurs, exporters, and investors. The new defence industrial strategy, expected in early 2025, will prioritize UK-based companies for military-related investments to drive domestic growth and job creation.
Furthermore, the UK hosted the 2025 London Summit on Ukraine on 2 March 2025, bringing together leaders from 16 states, the European Union, and NATO. Chaired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the summit aimed to draft a peace plan for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and establish a “coalition of the willing” in Europe to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine. The coalition expressed readiness to increase military support for Ukraine and strengthen economic sanctions against Russia if ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive ceasefire or peace deal failed.
These consultations underscore the UK’s strategic pivot towards enhancing its defence capabilities and fostering international cooperation to address emerging global threats. By prioritizing domestic industry involvement and strengthening alliances, the UK aims to bolster its national security and contribute to global stability.
