The UK government has unveiled its new National Security Strategy 2025. issuing a stark warning about the increasing risks of conflict and instability both at home and abroad. The strategy published on June 24, 2025, emphasises the urgent need for the UK to prepare for the possibility of a “wartime scenario” on its soil. It is escalating global tensions, particularly due to conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
A key highlight of the strategy is the government’s historic commitment to increase defence and national security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This significant boost aims to strengthen the UK’s military capabilities, modernise its forces, and enhance resilience against a broad spectrum of threats, including cyberattacks, sabotage, and hostile activities from state actors such as Russia and Iran.
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden stressed to MPs the necessity for the country to be “clear-eyed and hard-edged” about the threats it faces. It is reflecting the government’s serious approach to national security. The strategy warns that Russian cyberattacks and Iranian hostile activities are on the rise within the UK, necessitating robust defence measures.
The strategy outlines three main pillars: at-home, strength abroad, and increased sovereign and asymmetric capabilities. Security at home focuses on defending UK territory and building resilience against future threats, including terrorism, serious organised crime, and extremism. Strength abroad involves renewing alliances, particularly within NATO, and developing new partnerships to maintain influence in a volatile international environment.
The third pillar emphasises rebuilding the UK’s defence industrial base, developing sovereign capabilities, and pursuing asymmetric strategies to reduce dependence on other nations and enhance national sovereignty.
In addition to military preparedness, the strategy calls for a “new national resilience effort.” It includes the public, businesses, and academia. This includes national resilience exercises to prepare citizens for potential attacks and promote good cybersecurity practices across society.
The government also plans a cross-government crisis exercise later this year to improve readiness for emergencies such as future pandemics.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking ahead of the NATO summit, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the 5% GDP defence spending pledge, describing it as a vital step to meet the generationally high threats facing the nation and to honour the UK’s leadership role within NATO.
The strategy aims to harness this investment to not only strengthen security but also to drive economic growth and social renewal across the country.
The National Security Strategy 2025 marks a significant shift towards a more proactive and comprehensive approach to safeguarding the UK. It acknowledges the complex and uncertain global landscape and sets out a long-term vision to ensure the UK remains resilient, secure and influential in the decades ahead.