The document, which was called “Government War Book”, is set to be updated to encourage people to think differently about resilience, drawing on lessons from the Cold War
The UK is working on an updated version of a major national blueprint designed to prepare the entire nation — from the armed forces and police to healthcare and industry — for a possible shift to wartime footing, the head of the military has revealed.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the revised “Government War Book” would demand a fresh approach to resilience, taking lessons from the Cold War while adapting them to modern society with today’s infrastructure.
Speaking at the London Defence Conference, he also highlighted that Britain’s warning it could seize vessels connected to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” is already making a difference, despite no ships being boarded yet. According to Knighton, the threat alone has forced Moscow to escort these tankers or redirect them away from UK waters, although some have still been seen off the coast. When questioned whether boarding operations were about to begin, he said: “Be in no doubt. We are ready.”
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A significant challenge confronting the military is restoring the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force to war-ready status following decades of underinvestment since the Cold War ended. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey have committed to raising defence spending to 3.5% of GDP from just over 2%, but not until 2035.
A long-awaited 10-year Defence Investment Plan – outlining future weapons and capabilities – has yet to be published, leaving much of the defence industry in uncertainty. Knighton suggested the hold-up may be down to the Ministry of Defence pushing for quicker access to extra Treasury funding, emphasising that he would prefer to see a fully funded and achievable plan, even if it takes longer to finalise.
At the heart of his comments was the effort, spearheaded by the Cabinet Office, to resurrect the concept of the government’s war book – a comprehensive set of plans first drawn up during the First World War. These documents once ensured the UK was amongst the most prepared and resilient nations, setting out how to mobilise not just the military but also civilians and industry during times of crisis, including measures such as school closures, hospital coordination, food rationing, and protecting national assets.
The system was gradually scrapped after the Cold War owing to its hefty maintenance costs, but Knighton indicated it is now being revived in a modernised form.
He stressed that NATO’s concept of transitioning to conflict encompasses both military and civilian elements, underlining the need to bolster critical infrastructure – such as energy, water, and transport systems – against not only natural disasters but also potential hostile actions.
Knighton added that future infrastructure improvements must take into account threats beyond conventional warfare, requiring different priorities and long-term planning across government. He also cautioned that the relative stability Britain has enjoyed over the past three decades is coming under increasing strain, highlighting the urgency of raising public awareness about potential threats and the part civilians could play in bolstering national resilience and supporting the armed forces.
