A long-delayed military spending roadmap is scheduled for publication this Tuesday, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asserting that the initiative will ensure Britain remains secure well into the future. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the defence investment plan (DIP) allocates £5bn toward expanding the military’s reliance on drones and autonomous weapons systems over the next four years.
The announcement follows intense Whitehall negotiations that resulted in a £13.5bn funding increase, a figure notably lower than the £28bn originally sought by the MoD. This funding gap has previously led to the resignations of two defence ministers, including John Healey, who cited inadequate resources. Despite these challenges, current Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has worked to incorporate lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where uncrewed systems have proven vital to combat operations.
Key elements of the DIP include a transition for the Royal Navy toward a hybrid fleet that integrates self-controlled vessels alongside six new warships. Additionally, the British Army is slated to receive £50m for drone development, while the Royal Air Force will pursue autonomous fighter jets and introduce an uncrewed electronic warfare system by 2026. The strategy also supports the Uncrewed Systems Centre in Swindon and the creation of a specialized task force for autonomous technology.
The government intends to replace older warships with modern, hybrid vessels capable of deploying drones. Sir Keir emphasized that this “game-changing investment” aims to bolster industrial confidence and scale critical technologies. While opposition figures like Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey have criticized the plan as insufficient or rushed, the administration maintains the DIP is essential for operational readiness.
The publication precedes the upcoming Nato leaders summit in Turkey on 7 July. Following the June 2025 Strategic Defence Review, the government remains committed to its pledge of increasing defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. As the prime minister moves forward with the policy, reports suggest the plan has received approval from potential successor Andy Burnham, though Downing Street has yet to provide formal confirmation.
