UK Vulnerable to Attack, Defence Committee Finds

Published: 19 November 2025 Wednesday . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The United Kingdom faces serious gaps in its national defence and in the protection of its overseas territories, according to a highly critical report by MPs on the House of Commons Defence Committee. The report warns that the UK is nowhere near the level of readiness required to defend itself and its allies, particularly at a time when security threats to Europe remain significant.

The assessment highlights that the UK is falling short of its commitments to NATO and failing to live up to its own stated position as a global defence leader. It comes at a time when the Ministry of Defence is identifying potential sites for six new munitions factories as part of a strategy to increase domestic defence production, underscoring the urgent need to bolster the nation’s capacity to respond to threats.

The Defence Committee’s report, released after an 11-month inquiry, paints a stark picture of Britain’s current defence posture. Committee chair Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi emphasised that the UK’s heavy reliance on the United States for critical areas such as intelligence, satellite coverage, transportation of troops, and air-to-air refuelling leaves it vulnerable to potential threats and undermines its sovereignty in decision-making. He said, “Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, unrelenting disinformation campaigns, and repeated incursions into European airspace mean that we cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand. Our ability to defend ourselves, our allies, and our overseas territories is not at the level it should be, and we have repeatedly heard concerns about the UK’s readiness in the event of attack.”

The report notes that the UK’s air and missile defence capabilities are severely limited, with next to no integrated systems capable of defending against the increasingly sophisticated range of threats, including drones and hypersonic weapons. Recent drone incursions across European airspace have highlighted vulnerabilities in both civilian and military protection. The Defence Committee warns that failing to modernise these systems could have serious consequences for national and civilian security alike.

The report also criticises the slow pace of improvements to civil defence and resilience measures, noting that the UK may be failing to meet its NATO Article 3 obligations to maintain and develop the capacity to resist armed attack. The committee stresses that strengthening the nation’s industrial base and domestic manufacturing capacity should be a key focus of government strategy.

In response, Defence Secretary John Healey has announced plans to expand UK munitions production, including £1.5 billion in funding to build new factories through private contractors. The government aims for at least six new factories to be operational by the next general election in 2029, with construction expected to begin next year. This initiative represents a step toward reducing reliance on overseas suppliers and increasing the UK’s self-sufficiency in producing explosives, pyrotechnics, and propellants.

The Ministry of Defence has identified 13 potential sites across the UK for the construction of munitions factories. In Scotland, the shortlisted sites include Dumfriesshire, Ayrshire, and Grangemouth in Stirlingshire. In England, Teesside, Cumbria, Shropshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Worcestershire, and Hampshire have been earmarked, while Wales has two potential locations: Monmouthshire and Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire. In addition to munitions factories, Healey is expected to announce the opening of two new drone manufacturing facilities in Plymouth and Swindon. This is part of a broader effort to position the UK as a leader in defence technology while creating high-skilled jobs and supporting local economies.

While the government has pledged to raise defence spending to three percent of GDP by 2034, the Defence Committee warns that current expenditure is not translating into sufficient capability. MPs recommend accelerating the pace of industrial change, making readiness a central objective, and ensuring that civil and military preparedness is integrated and clearly communicated to the public. Dhesi added, “Wars are not won just by generals or ministers; they are won when the whole of the population understands the risks, supports the Armed Forces, and plays its part. The government must do more to explain the threats we face and what is expected in the event of conflict.”

The report’s findings come amid heightened tensions across Europe. Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine, as well as repeated violations of airspace by Russian aircraft, have underscored the need for European nations to maintain credible deterrence. The Defence Committee notes that the UK’s reliance on the United States, while historically significant, may not be sufficient in a rapidly evolving security landscape. The UK’s current deficiencies, as identified in the report, include outdated air defence networks, insufficient stockpiles of critical munitions, and inadequate coordination between military and civil defence authorities. Without substantial investment and strategic reforms, the country risks being unprepared in the event of a direct attack or a large-scale conflict involving NATO partners.

Healey is expected to outline further steps to restart domestic production of energetics—materials essential for modern munitions—which have been largely imported over the past two decades. The move is part of a broader “war-fighting readiness” strategy that aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing, improve supply chain resilience, and ensure that UK forces have rapid access to the materials required in conflict situations.

Healey will also emphasise the economic benefits of increased defence production, highlighting that investment in factories, technology, and skilled jobs will boost local economies while enhancing national security. In remarks released ahead of his speech, he said, “We are making defence an engine for growth, unambiguously backing British jobs and British skills as we make the UK better ready to fight and better able to deter future conflicts. This is the path that delivers national and economic security.”

The Defence Committee urges the government to act with urgency. With global tensions continuing to rise, the report stresses that delayed implementation of defence reforms could leave the UK vulnerable. The combination of outdated systems, industrial shortfalls, and overreliance on allies may compromise both the nation’s security and its credibility on the international stage. MPs argue that defence readiness is not simply about money spent—it is about ensuring that the nation is prepared to respond effectively to crises, protect its population, and maintain its position as a credible NATO partner.

In conclusion, the Defence Committee’s report provides a stark warning that the UK is falling far short of what is required to protect itself, its citizens, and its allies in a volatile global environment. While the government is taking steps to improve domestic production and modernise capabilities, MPs argue that progress has been too slow and that reliance on the United States and overseas suppliers remains a critical vulnerability. As the UK moves forward with plans to increase defence spending, invest in new factories, and enhance military technology, the key challenge will be translating policy into tangible capability. The coming years will test the government’s ability to deliver on these promises, as well as its capacity to reassure the British public that it is truly prepared for a world in which security threats are increasingly complex, unpredictable, and global in nature.