In response to the Strategic Defence Review, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has issued the following statement to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and civilian staff: “The world has changed. The threat we now face is more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War.

“We must act now and move rapidly to a position of warfighting readiness. We must be combat ready, as one integrated force working together across Defence and the nation to deter threats and strengthen our national security.

“We will put NATO first, strengthening security, resilience and readiness in the Euro Atlantic.

“Our clear priority is delivering our Continuous At-Sea Deterrent and assuring the transition from Vanguard to Dreadnought. This is a ‘no fail’ national endeavour: the bedrock of our national security and contributing to an engine for growth, driving jobs and prosperity.

“Our innovation, driven by the lessons from Ukraine, and underpinned by an energised industrial base will move towards continually upgradable systems. We will protect our critical underwater infrastructure, and will be uncrewed where possible, crewed where necessary, using autonomy to build mass, increase lethality and reduce personnel at risk.

“We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK Defence. The Strategic Defence Review will make Britain safer – secure at home and strong abroad.”