Policy direction
Sets strategic direction for force design, readiness, and civil-military integration.
National security leadership
Strategic oversight for the UK armed forces
The Defence Council provides high-level oversight, governance, and strategic advice to the UK Government and the military chain of command.
Membership
Key statutory and operational leadership
Responsibilities
Core strategic functions
Capability oversight
Reviews modernisation, procurement priorities, resilience and technological advantage.
Operational assurance
Ensures preparedness, interoperability and readiness for national and coalition tasks.
Priorities
Current strategic focus
- Defence industrial resilience and supply chain assurance
- Cyber and space domain dominance
- Rapid response readiness and expeditionary capability
- Allied interoperability and NATO commitments
- People, retention and future force structure
Defence Council agenda
01
Force posture
Review readiness posture and operational risk across all services.
02
Capability roadmap
Assess programme delivery, interoperability, and future investment decisions.
03
Workforce and resilience
Examine retention, recruitment, training, and support to service personnel.