Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) will be central to the UK’s strategic defence review, placing AI at the core of UK defence policy, set to be released within three weeks. The review aims to place Britain at the forefront of NATO innovation and military readiness.
During official visits to Berlin and Rome, Healey said AI is already reshaping warfare. “In five years’ time, AI at the core of UK defence will have had a massive impact in the military and on the battlefield,” he said. “We have to get ahead of this.”
The review, built on a year-long assessment by former Defence Secretary George Robertson and General Sir Richard Barrons, includes detailed plans to integrate AI across the British Armed Forces. It also intends to improve agility in defence procurement, avoiding past delays like the 15-year Ajax tank project.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged that 10% of the defence equipment budget will go toward emerging technologies, including drones and AI. With AI at the core of UK defence policy, Healey is also working to create a central AI fund, consolidating military tech investments under one budget.
Highlighting lessons from Ukraine, Healey noted that 80% of recent battlefield casualties have come from drones, not artillery. This demonstrates the urgent need for faster tech deployment and frontline upgrades.
British troops are already testing AI-enabled systems in Estonia. These technologies can detect threats and automatically suggest the best weapon response, marking a shift toward rapid decision-making on the battlefield.
A recent UK-EU trade deal will also allow British companies to access the €150 billion European Defence Fund, strengthening Europe-wide defence collaboration with AI as a core element.
While some defence leaders hoped for a UK version of Israel’s Iron Dome, Healey favours flexible solutions over static, high-cost systems. “We must innovate at a wartime pace,” he said, emphasizing AI’s role in UK defence policy.
AI has even helped shape the review itself. Officials used machine-learning tools to summarise over 2 million words of feedback from 8,000 public submissions, showcasing AI at the core of UK strategic defence discussions.
Palantir, a leading military AI firm, may see increased UK contracts. Despite concerns over founder Peter Thiel’s political views, Healey defended the company’s role: “They work to our standards when they work for us,” showing AI’s core role in UK defence policy.
Some new systems may reach troops before full testing concludes. Healey argued that real-time deployment helps refine systems quickly, ensuring frontline forces are never behind on innovation.
With AI at the core of UK defence policy, Britain aims to lead NATO into a new era of high-tech readiness.
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