Overview
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton confirmed Friday at the London Defence Conference that the Cabinet Office is rebuilding a modern Government War Book.
- The plan sets out how to shift the military, police, hospitals and industry to a wartime footing, with past versions detailing school closures, hospital clearing, food rationing and protection of national assets.
- Knighton said the update will harden power, water and transport systems by building resilience into infrastructure upgrades to counter state-backed disruption.
- A 10-year Defence Investment Plan has not been published, leaving suppliers in limbo as the government maintains a goal to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
- The defence chief said UK warnings have changed the behaviour of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” though no sanctioned tankers near British waters have been boarded.