UK Defence Investment Plan Prioritises £5 Billion for Drones and Modern Warfare Tech
Britain Unveils New Defence Investment Plan Amid Rising Threats
By Sarah Young and Elizabeth Piper
LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - Britain will unveil its long-delayed Defence Investment Plan on Tuesday, prioritising £5 billion of investment in drones and a focus on autonomous systems, to try to modernise and build up its depleted armed forces at a time of rising threats.
Political Turmoil and Financial Challenges
The blueprint faced last-minute wrangling after former defence minister John Healey resigned earlier this month with a scathing critique of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's inability to raise the finances needed to keep the country safe from threats.
Starmer has since then said he will also quit, with his replacement likely to take office within weeks, making the DIP one of the prime minister's final policy announcements.
Plan Focuses on Technology for Modern Warfare
Shift Towards Autonomous Systems
His plan will focus on attack drones, autonomous systems and uncrewed ships and submarines, favouring technology over warships, to reflect the reality of modern warfare as seen in Ukraine, according to a statement released on Monday.
"This game-changing investment will strengthen our Armed Forces," Starmer said before a major speech on Tuesday when the plan will be published in full.
Defence Spending Commitments
He has promised to raise defence spending to 3% of national output in the next parliament, from the 2.6% it is expected to reach next year, after a defence review in 2025 said Britain needed to shift to "war-fighting readiness".
Funding Gap and Industry Concerns
But defence chiefs have said there is still a £28 billion funding gap over the next four years, and the government statement did not provide details of how far the DIP would go to meeting the shortfall, closely watched by those in the industry.
Drone Warfare
Impact of Uncrewed Systems
Britain's new defence minister, Dan Jarvis, a former British Army Major, said uncrewed systems were defining modern warfare, and the DIP he has helped reshape in recent weeks would ensure soldiers get what they need faster.
Ukraine uses 200,000 drones a month in its war against Russia, and technology innovations happen within weeks, not the years taken to develop the large platforms which have been the main feature of British security in the post-Cold War era.
Delays and International Reactions
The nine-month delay in publishing the plan has stymied investment in what should be a boom industry, companies say, and has led to some private criticism abroad as to whether Britain was either willing or able to boost defence spending.
Global Context and Strategic Shifts
Starmer will attend the NATO summit in Ankara from July 7 to 8, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and dozens of other leaders of alliance members, at a time when Europe is trying to come to terms with the U.S. pivot away from protecting it.
Earlier this year, Britain, which until World War Two had the largest navy in the world, was left exposed when it was unable to immediately deploy an advanced warship to Cyprus after its air base there was hit by an Iranian-made drone.
Future of the Royal Navy and Defence Procurement
The government had already said on Sunday it would scrap plans to replace its ageing destroyers and will instead procure at least six "Common Combat Vessels" to serve as control hubs for uncrewed systems, while Jarvis has also announced new high-speed boats for commandos.
(Reporting by Sarah Young and Elizabeth Piper, Editing by William Maclean)