The Strategic Defence Review 2025 (SDR) has now been released, and all of its recommendations have been accepted by the UK government. This is to be supported by a new partnership with industry that maximises internal and industrial expertise, accelerates acquisition processes, manages risk and cost, and engages a wider set of suppliers.
Specific recommendations for the British Army include that it:
- Must modernise the two divisions and the Corps HQ that it provides to NATO. The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps should be enabled by, and command, Corps-level capability. The 1st Division should comprise a fully deployable Headquarters: 4, 7 and 16 Brigades with armoured and mechanised capabilities, support brigade, and associated enablers.
- Must accelerate the development and deployment of its new ‘Recce-Strike’ approach—combining existing capabilities and technologies, such as armoured platforms, with constantly evolving technology. It should be bolder in its ambition, seeking to increase lethality ten-fold.
- Must evolve its mix of Regulars and Reserves, with a minimum of 100,000 soldiers, of which 73,000 are Regular. An uplift in Regular personnel of 3000 troops has been directed, while the Army should benefit from the proposed 20% increase in Active Reserve numbers.
- Should focus the current Active Reserve only on tasks that it can deliver well and with value for money.
- Must reconnect to its Strategic Reserve as a core aspect of military mobilisation planning. SJC should command all UK military support to national resilience and be resourced accordingly. It should also lead wider efforts to reconnect Defence with society, as part of a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to deterrence and defence.
But what does this actually mean for the British Army? How and when will these changes be implemented? And what does it mean for industry and other external stakeholders?
To find out, and pose your questions, register to join this, the fourth of our Strategic Defence Review interactive webinars on 24 September with Major General Jon Swift OBE, Assistant Chief of the General Staff.
HEAR FROM
Major General Jon Swift OBE
General Jon commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 1995.
He has commanded, including on operations at home or abroad, at each level from Second Lieutenant to Major General. Overseas operations included Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
On the staff, General Jon has completed multiple tours in capability development, including requirements setting and management, financial planning and, more recently, leadership of major Defence capability programmes; he has served in the MOD, Army HQ and Defence Equipment and Support.
On promotion to 2*, in July 2022 he took post as General Officer Commanding Regional Command and Deputy Commander Standing Joint Command (UK). In August 2023, he returned to Army HQ and took post as the Director of Programmes.
He became the Assistant Chief of the General Staff in September 2025.
General Jon is also: the Army’s Head of Delegation to India; Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; a Vice-President of Army Rugby and Football; President of Infantry Cycling; a Trustee of Fusilier charities; and a youth rugby coach and referee.
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