Image courtesy UDSS

The SDR was commissioned by the Prime Minister and led by Lord Robertson, General Sir Richard Barrons (above), UDSS Co-Founder and Co-Chair and Dr Fiona Hill − marking the first time in UK history that such a review has been led by an external team.

General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE, Co-Chair, Universal Defence and Security Solutions said: “I am really proud of the contribution made by Universal Defence and Security Solutions members and the wider defence community to the Strategic Defence Review 2025.

"Their depth of experience and thoughtful, pragmatic input played a key role in shaping the review’s direction.

"I’m grateful for their commitment to applying hard-earned expertise in support of this important national effort.”

 How first ever UK external SDR was designed and executed
The decision to commission an externally led SDR—rather than an internal Whitehall-led exercise—was made by the then incoming Prime Minister and Defence Secretary to ensure a higher level of scrutiny and avoid consensus-driven limitations.

In preparation during the election period, the foundational narrative, methodology, and support structures were designed to enable immediate activation once a new government was formed.

Key features of the review process included:

• A clear overarching narrative, agreed at the outset, to guide scope, strategic alignment, and affordability.
• Leadership by three senior external reviewers, supported by six subject-matter experts—all personally approved by the Prime Minister.
•  − not to them − with full MoD access, backed by a cross-government Secretariat.
•  − yielding thousands of submissions.
• Use of a bespoke AI tool (MoD-funded) to analyse responses, identify patterns, and pinpoint areas of alignment and dissonance.
• Scrutiny by senior external expert panels across each thematic area. For instance, in the maritime domain, propositions were presented by the First Sea Lord and reviewed in-depth.
• Iterative report drafting over five rounds, managed by a dedicated drafting team working closely with the Secretary of State for Defence.
• A parallel fiscal modelling process with MoD capability and finance teams, ensuring that all recommendations were realistic, prioritised and affordable.

The final report was submitted to the Prime Minister via the Defence Secretary and will be released imminently through a coordinated publication campaign.

UDSS contributed substantially to the SDR through its network of over 700 former senior military, civil service and security professionals, including former Four Star Commanders and experts in cyber, space and strategic policy.

Working independently from government, UDSS delivers practitioner-led expertise across:

• Strategic defence and security reviews
• Cyber, digital and space strategy
• Capability modernisation and procurement support
• Professional military education and leadership mentoring
• Border security, policing and corruption interdiction
• Geospatial intelligence and catastrophic risk forecasting
• Civil and military space programme design

Relevance to business and government
The SDR outlines a defence landscape that is being reshaped by cyber warfare, digital integration and global instability.

With the announcement of a £1 billion investment in a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, including AI-driven targeting and offensive hacking capabilities, the Review sends a clear signal: the keyboard is now a weapon of war.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “Ways of warfare are rapidly changing – with the UK facing daily cyber-attacks on this new frontline.

"The hard-fought lessons from Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine leave us under no illusions that future conflicts will be won through forces that are better connected, better equipped and innovating faster than their adversaries. 

"We will give our Armed Forces the ability to act at speeds never seen before - connecting ships, aircraft, tanks and operators so they can share vital information instantly and strike further and faster.

"By attracting the best digital talent and establishing a nerve centre for our cyber capability, we will harness the latest innovations, properly fund Britain’s defences for the modern age and support the government’s Plan for Change.”

For businesses operating in defence, technology, and critical infrastructure, the SDR carries significant implications.

To pre-register to receive the SDR in full upon its official release:
www.universal-defence.com/may-2025-pre-register-to-receive-a-copy-of-the-uk-sdr-2025