Samuel Harris

@NavyLookout A new air-launched nuclear cruise missile could offer a sovereign and flexible alternative. With benefits of greater strike range, survivability, and a reduced need for refuelling or forward basing for the F-35A, as well as integration potential beyond it, it’s worth considering.

@NavyLookout Also important to remember: reacquiring a tactical nuclear role with the F-35A requires more than just the aircraft. It implies developing (or hosting) an air-deliverable warhead the UK doesn’t currently have—and relying on U.S. B61s brings political and operational constraints.

BREAKING: Prime Minister says UK to reacquire tactical nuclear weapons capability. RAF to buy 12 F-35A jets for nuclear role. Sources say these jets could also perform the OCU role (pilot training), freeing up additional F-35Bs for frontline duties. Many complex issues yet to be unpacked...

Reacquiring a tactical nuclear role is a major shift—but the F-35A limited range means that any credible use demands somewhat stifling air refuelling or need for forward basing. With the latter bringing vulnerability, political friction, and escalation risks. #UKDefence #F35A

@ConGeostrategy @JEFnations @NATO @warstudies Grateful to contribute to the @ConGeostrategy's 'Britain’s World' publication at a time when European security is front and centre. Thank you to the editors for the opportunity and support.

🌍‘Formalise and expand the @JEFnations now, not to replace @NATO or duplicate 🇪🇺, but to incubate the kind of rapid, European-led response capability which the next decade will likely demand,’ says @Samuel_D_Harris, @warstudies #BritainsWorld #Memorandum britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-memorand…

Grateful to contribute to the @ConGeostrategy's 'Britain’s World' publication at a time when European security is front and centre. Thanks to the editors for the opportunity and support.

Europe needs a way to securitise quickly and effectively. The JEF already has the structure to do it. In my latest @ConGeostrategy piece, I argue the UK should lead efforts to expand it, formalise its role, and enhance its deterrent power. Read more: britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-memorand…

It’s reassuring to see RN exploring a T91 ‘arsenal ship’ alongside the T83 with this capability as I explored in The Broadside👇 Especially in an era of resurgent missile threats and vastly matured A2/AD; where missile mass is a now a necessity. thebroadside.org.uk/p/06-2025-reim…

@UKDefJournal It’s reassuring to see RN exploring a T91 ‘arsenal ship’ alongside the T83 with this capability as I explored in The Broadside👇 Especially in an era of resurgent missile threats and vastly matured A2/AD; where missile mass is a now necessity. thebroadside.org.uk/p/06-2025-reim…

The Royal Navy is exploring a new uncrewed surface vessel, known as Type 91, intended to act as an arsenal ship complementing the future Type 83 destroyer under the UK’s Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-wants-…

@navalnewscom @RoyalNavy @rich_scott2 In an era of resurgent cruise and ballistic missile threats and vastly matured A2/AD, missile mass is a necessity. It’s reassuring to see RN exploring the T83 (possibly with an upgraded T31) with this capability as I explored below in The Broadside👇 open.substack.com/pub/thebroadsi…

The UK @RoyalNavy has outlined its ambitions for the Maritime Integrated Air and Missile Defence and Strike (M-IAMDS) capability and associated Type 83 destroyer host platform planned for delivery under the FADS programme 🇬🇧 Story by @rich_scott2 navalnews.com/event-news/cne…

Out now with @ConGeostrategy: why the UK should revive the arsenal ship—reinforcing homeland defence and carrier strike.

Grateful to @ConGeostrategy for publishing my latest piece on reimagining the arsenal ship for the UK. In an age of missile saturation and contested seas, a purpose-built, missile-heavy platform is vital tool for national defence and fleet resilience. Read here: open.substack.com/pub/thebroadsi… #UKDefence #RoyalNavy #SeaPower #MissileDefence #SDR

As @RGWhitman insightfully puts, the UK-EU defence partnership is a welcome move, but has all too familiar limitations. As I wrote in Feb, Europe needs to prepare for a post-NATO future—not just by talking more, but by building real defence capacity. open.substack.com/pub/samueldavi…

@ConGeostrategy @RGWhitman A very insightful diagnosis from @RGWhitman & @ConGeostrategy The partnership is a useful foundation—but it’s painfully true that without industrial access, operational integration, or joint procurement, it is structurally polite but strategically hollow. That must now change.

🌏 ‘This is uncharted territory, and political hurdles abound. Within the 🇪🇺, there is not unanimous enthusiasm for opening SAFE to the 🇬🇧,’ writes @RGWhitman, in a new #Memorandum #BritainsWorld britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-memorand…

I've said it before, but... • If Russia wins in Ukraine, it's a big problem • If Russia loses in Ukraine, it's a big problem • If the stalemate continues, it's a big problem There is no scenario where Russia suddenly stops being a problem. As soon as we acknowledge this fact and react accordingly, the safer we will all be.

@nicholadrummond @nicholadrummond I’d agree, one of the main threat to the UK is Russia’s Northern Fleets. I hope the SDR is clear that we need an IAMD either on land or by sea. The concept of a set of deep magazined arsenal ships seems a potential solution. Looking at SKs 🇰🇷 Joint Strike Ships.

Some question whether carrier strike groups remain relevant. They do—but only if their air wings can strike from far greater range, or if they’re shielded by fleets built to absorb a sustained missile barrage. Without that, their advantage fades fast. #NavalStrategy #A2AD

@nicholadrummond @nicholadrummond Disappointing to hear—especially if a serious, well-argued case for increased defence spending is being shelved over short-term cost fears. The peace dividend has run its course. Defence needs to grow. What use is an SDR if no one’s prepared to act on it?

The UK SDR was meant to be published this week. Unfortunately, its has been rejected for the umpteenth time by the Government, presumably with Treasury input. My sources tell me that George Robertson, Richard Barrons, and Fiona Hill have between them produced an outstanding document that presents an overwhelming case for an immediate uplift in the Defence budget. Given that the Government’s current spending plans are under such pressure, it is understandably terrified of the budget implications created by the SDR. Britain is broke. We have to recognise this. A peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is desirable because it would reduce pressure for a short-term increase in the Defence budget, but whatever happens Russia and Vladimir Putin will remain a long-term problem. Therefore, we have no choice but to define a pathway and timetable for growing UK defence.

Especially considering the ever growing A2/AD zones such as those the #PRC possess. Current UK strike groups would have to travel hundreds of NMs within area denial zones to have any forward strike capabilities; putting Aircraft Carriers at risk. Dampening their strategic value.

With increasingly uncertain future for overseas bases, the UK needs to focus on the refit of the #QEII Carriers with EMALS + arresting wires to facilitate future combat aircraft with greater strike ranges than the current #STVOL doctrine permits. #UKDefence #AirPower