The maritime-domain section says global trade, pipelines, data cables, offshore energy, food, and other critical commodities sustain daily national life but face growing technological and geopolitical pressure. It cites Nord Stream sabotage, damaged data cables, and a more accessible high north as examples requiring deterrence and protection. These are modern manifestations of the same enduring risk Britain faced in the Napoleonic Wars, both world wars, and the Cold War, rather than newly discovered naval roles. The proposed response mixes crewed and uncrewed surface, subsurface, and air systems with renewed attack-submarine construction through AUKUS. Novel platforms can strengthen maritime defence if policy also restores the funding and force depth that earlier threat-led reviews removed.
Chapter · 3:08:51-3:12:08
The 2025 review rediscovered an enduring maritime risk
The review calls maritime security a strategic imperative and links cable sabotage, commodity flows, the high north, uncrewed systems, and AUKUS submarines to Britain's longstanding exposure at sea.