UK's 'Global Britain' Review Emphasizes Covert Ops, Cuts Conventional Forces
The UK government has published a significant review of defence, security, and foreign policy, titled 'Global Britain in a Competitive Age'. The review emphasizes secret intelligence, special operations forces, and offensive cyber capabilities. It also discusses the creation of a new 'Ranger Regiment' modelled on the US Army's Green Berets.
The review highlights the importance of persistent operations below the threshold of conflict and the role of covert interventionism in the current international environment. It takes a whole-of-government approach to covert operations, with a new National Cyber Force established in 2020. However, the review's objectives are unclear, leaving little sense of how or whether the means will match the ends, and the identity of global entry partners is left vague.
The review makes substantial cuts to the UK's conventional forces, reducing the British Army to 72,500 by 2025. This shift is consistent with Britain's traditional approach to cybersecurity, which relies heavily on intelligence and special forces. The review also emphasizes 'Global Britain' and a tilt toward the Indo-Pacific region, acknowledging limited capabilities due to the economic impact of Covid-19.
The 'Global Britain' initiative, while emphasizing covert operations and strategic thinking, leaves many details unclear. The review's focus on intelligence, special forces, and cyber capabilities suggests a shift in UK defence strategy, with significant cuts to conventional forces. The identity of international partners and the specific locations of these secret operations remain uncertain.
