Integrated Review

The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy,[1] often known as the Integrated Review, and titled as Global Britain in a Competitive Age,[2] was a review carried out by the British government led by Boris Johnson into the foreign, defence, security and international development policies of the United Kingdom.[3] Described by Johnson as "the largest review of its kind since the Cold War",[3] the review was published on 16 March 2021.[4]

The Integrated Review sets out the government's vision for Global Britain, the UK's role in the world following its withdrawal from the European Union. Its four overarching objectives are for the UK to sustain a strategic advantage through science and technology, for the UK to shape the open international order through working with partners and international institutions, for the UK to strengthen its security at home and abroad and for the UK to become more resilient to threats at home and overseas.[5] The review identified Russia as an "acute threat", China a "systemic challenge" and climate change the UK's highest international priority.[6] It was first announced in December 2019 by the first Johnson ministry with a publication date set for "early 2020"; however, the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to be delayed several times. A number of preliminary decisions were published in November 2020 ahead of the review's full publication.

A defence command paper, titled Defence in a Competitive Age, was published by the Ministry of Defence on 22 March 2021 which outlined changes to the armed forces in order to meet the objectives of the Integrated Review.[4][7]

Johnson's successor, Liz Truss initiated an update of the Integrated Review due to evolving threats, particularly Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.[8] This was concluded by Rishi Sunak's government; the Integrated Review Refresh 2023, was published on 13 March 2023.[9]

  1. ^ "Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy:Written statement - HCWS126". parliament.uk. UK Hansard. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Russia an 'active threat' and China a 'systemic challenge', Integrated Review will warn". Sky News. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b "PM outlines new review to define Britain's place in the world". GOV.UK. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b "UK foreign policy review will focus on China's growing power". The Guardian. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference IRRelease was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Russia an 'active threat' and China a 'systemic challenge', Integrated Review will warn". Sky News. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Axing the Royal Navy's Wildcat helicopters – still an option for the Integrated Review". Navy Lookout. 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference update was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference update2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).