The new National Security Strategy expresses concern that the country could face a direct attack in the near future. The report specifically identifies undersea internet cables, natural gas lines, and cybersecurity infrastructure as at risk. The strategy stresses that potential threats will not only come in the form of conventional warfare, but that “hybrid warfare, which includes disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, and the disruption of critical communications systems, has become a growing challenge to the UK’s security.”

The new strategy aims to increase the defence budget to 5% of GDP by 2035, the most significant increase in UK defence spending since World War II. The current budget is around 2.3% of GDP. The report points out that undersea fibre optic cables that connect the UK to global internet traffic could be vulnerable to attacks by hostile countries or groups. If these cables are damaged, internet services across Europe could be disrupted. Similarly, gas lines in the North Sea and the National Grid system are also on the risk list. The government has announced that the “National Digital A Defence Centre will be established, which will strengthen cyber-attack response, intelligence sharing, and cooperation between private and public institutions.

The Prime Minister said that this strategy is a clear message to the international community that “the UK is not weak, but more prepared than ever before.” He also appealed to NATO allies to similarly increase their defence budgets and cyber security measures. He said that we now need to understand that the enemy can attack not only with missiles or tanks, but also with campaigns that break the internet, energy networks and national trust. This strategy is not just an increase in the military budget but also represents a comprehensive national awareness campaign that will involve the public, the private sector, and government institutions. In the context of recent geopolitical and political changes (the Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, China’s increasing activity), this initiative by the UK is being seen as **the need of the hour**.