The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed whether the contracts of the three external reviewers working on the ongoing Strategic Defence Review have been extended, sidestepping a direct parliamentary question on the issue.
In a written response to Conservative MP Mark Francois, who asked whether any of the contracts had been extended, Defence Minister Luke Pollard offered no explicit answer. Instead, Pollard stated only that “the external review team continue to support the delivery of this crucial piece of work” and reiterated that the Strategic Defence Review “will be published in the Spring.”
This non-committal response leaves unanswered questions about the current contractual status and potential continued involvement of the reviewers— brought in to inject independent insight into the review’s development.
The Strategic Defence Review is a central part of the government’s defence policy overhaul, with a focus on ensuring Britain remains “secure at home and strong abroad”, in the words of the minister. It follows a series of previous reviews that have faced criticism for delays, budget shortfalls, and a lack of long-term strategic clarity.
The review’s outcomes are expected to shape future defence investment, procurement, and force posture—particularly at a time of heightened tensions in Europe, increasing global instability, and shifting security priorities within NATO.
Although a Spring release has been promised, the MoD has offered few details about what the review will contain or how external experts have influenced its conclusions.
I believe that when govt saw the draft copy they sent it back to be altered.
That’s what I had heard too. Apparently Lord Robertson told HMG that his team couldn’t ‘square the hole’ for anything less than 2.75% GDP, only to be told to go away and rewrite for 2.5%. Again, not sure how true this is but sounds about right!
I’m sure there’s contract terms to stop it. However, it would be nice if Robertson would hold a “here’s what you could have won” press gathering with the original draft released.
Why should the MOD give any details of the upcoming review. People are always moaning about government leaks, it makes a change that nothing like that has happened thus far.We will just have to be patient hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
It doesn’t seem beyond the wit of man that the SDR couldn’t be written with a 2.5% to 5. % range of options for government to ponder over surely. We know 2.5% is committed so that’s the first bit of the plan, a range of options in latter years into the next parliament taking us to 3-5% range seems straightforward. The spring deadline is looming, let’s see this much touted report.