The plan includes increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with aspirations to reach 3% in the next parliament. The government’s narrative suggests that increased military spending will enhance national security and stimulate economic growth. The government’s hugely ambitious strategic defence review is an exercise in hope over experience. A group of academics, trade unionists and campaign groups has drafted an alternative defence review, a civil society response to the government’s SDR. Our ADR suggests that most of this increased spending appears to be linked to policy influence by international arms companies.