Secretary of Defence Healey spoke to the Wilson Center on October 11, 2022, when he was in opposition and made clear that Labour would apply a “NATO Test.” As MP Healey explained that evening,
“So Labour would apply a NATO test to all major defense projects in our first 100 days. We use it to check that the UK is meeting its obligations to the alliance in full. If there are capability gaps, we will fill them. If there are funding gaps, we will fix them. If there are tough decisions, we will take them and we will make sure that Britain's NATO obligations are back on track. This is what our unshakeable commitment to NATO means in practice.”
Although not many details were shared, MP Healey made clear that he felt the now-previous Conservative government invested insufficiently in defense. However, MP Healey was supportive of the Conservative Government having the UK military go on NATO exercises.
MP Healy remarked at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) – a defence think tank – on February 7, 2023:
“Britain’s security strategy must be ‘NATO first’. The first priority for Britain’s armed forces must be where the threats are greatest, not where the business opportunities lie. This is in the NATO area – Europe, the North Atlantic, Arctic. This is our primary obligation to our closest allies... We need to shift parts of our defence industry and MoD procurement onto an ‘urgent operational footing’, both to support Ukraine for the long term and to rebuild UK stocks for any future conflict.”
Supporting Ukraine
Labour’s manifesto includes this clear pledge on Ukraine:
“With Labour, the UK’s military, financial, diplomatic and political support for Ukraine will remain steadfast. Labour will support efforts to hold Putin’s Russia accountable for its illegal war, backing calls for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. We will work with our allies to enable the seizure and repurposing of frozen Russian state assets to support Ukraine. And we will play a leading role in providing Ukraine with a clear path to NATO membership.”
Additionally, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been photographed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Defence Secretary Healey has expressed concerns about the UK's industry's ability to backfill weapons drawn down from stockpiles. Nonetheless, one of his first acts as Defence Secretary was visiting Odesa, Ukraine, announcing a new aid package.
Investing in UK Industry
On March 1, 2024 according to a separate LabourList report:
“We have to secure better value for public money. And we also need a more strategic approach to procurement looking to boost British industry reinforce national resilience strengthen our NATO leadership and exploit technology raise UK's international standing.”
Granted what Defense Secretary Healey inherits is arguably a strong defense economy as per recent Simple Flying report; The UK Defence Industry is growing anyway.
However growth seems insufficient not just replacing weapons donations but also replacing many planes decommissioned by previous government.
“Over 200 RAF planes… decommissioned” by Conservatives
MP Healey noted several speeches as Defense Critic his angst “Over 200 RAF planes have been decommissioned last five years alone.” Among those Royal Air Force planes include C-130 Hercules turboprop transport fleet E-3D Sentry AWACS radar planes Hawk T1 jet trainers before GR9 Harrier jump jet close air support jets retired December 15th early previous Conservative government finally Royal Air Force retired last Panavia Tornadoes 2019:
Some aircraft retirements were make way F-35Bs ordered plus Tornado ground attack roles taken over Eurofighter Typhoon still sheer number aircraft retirements concern just one item new Defence Secretary.
Bottom Line
University Exeter Dr David Blagden Senior Lecturer International Security shared perception,
“The new Defence Secretary will have full plate during his first 100 days.” Full plate include auditing military readiness nuclear deterrent improving personnel conditions assessing adequacy availability further UK support defining parameters strategic defence review deciding scale objectives planned Carrier Strike Group deployment.
The defence review normal new party takes over look right-size equipment personnel funding additionally according Dr Blagden Government look where how much geopolitically commit Europe Indo-Pacific Middle East furthermore question whether contribute major land force element instead focus mostly maritime/air power.
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