Overview
- An 11‑month cross‑party inquiry finds years of under‑investment, slow decision‑making and shrinking mass have strained the UK’s ability to sustain its leading military role in Europe.
- The committee identifies homeland defence as the most serious vulnerability, saying integrated air and missile defence is "next to nothing" and that there is no clear plan for the homeland or Overseas Territories.
- MPs recommend a Defence Readiness Bill and a Minister of Homeland Security, citing delays to the Home Defence Programme and weak cross‑government coordination.
- The report warns of over‑reliance on US capabilities and urges deeper cooperation with European partners, particularly France, including assessing where the UK must replace US enablers.
- The Ministry of Defence says the Defence Secretary will outline measures later today, including sites for new munitions factories, with investment shaped by decisions in the forthcoming Budget.