International instability is likely to become more prevalent.
The combat power of dangerous regimes assumes more significance as democratic countries reduce their armaments and there is an increasing risk from the proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical technologies. If UK forces are to be effective in this uncertain future, they must be structured and equipped to conduct force projection and expeditionary warfare. The SDR recognised that UK forces will normally be involved in multi-national operations based on NATO, UN, WEU or ad hoc coalitions. As different coalition partners will have varying capabilities, and US involvement cannot be assumed, the UK will require balanced, coherent forces, inherently flexible and deployable, and capable of operating effectively alongside forces from other countries. This balanced capability will also be required to fulfil the requirements of those exceptional circumstances when the UK will operate independently.