UK to boost defence spending by £15bn with a major push into drones and a hybrid navy

A long-delayed plan

Keir Starmer finally presented the United Kingdom's defence investment plan on Tuesday, more than nine months behind schedule. The outgoing prime minister, who is expected to leave office as early as 20 July after losing Labour MPs' support, unveiled the package at a drone manufacturer's site in Berkshire. The delay was partly caused by budgetary wrangling inside the government, which culminated in the resignation of two defence ministers this month. Defence Secretary John Healey quit after warning that the spending proposals risked making Britain "less safe".

The plans risked making Britain 'less safe'.

Drones and autonomous systems first

A third of the £15 billion uplift over four years, some £5 billion, will flow into drone technology and autonomous systems. The Ministry of Defence cited the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East as proof that warfare is changing rapidly. The army alone will receive £50 million within 12 months for small propeller-driven drones and interceptor drones. A drone test centre and a task force for scaling up production are also included. Starmer told the audience that the country must do what is necessary to face a new world resolutely.

We must do what is necessary to face this new world resolutely, ensure our country's security and seize the opportunities arising from investment in our sovereign power.

Reshaping the Royal Navy and the air force

The plan introduces a "hybrid navy" concept: at least six new warships will be built to act as control centres for unmanned systems, including underwater drones capable of hunting hostile submarines. Existing plans to replace the ageing destroyer fleet have been scrapped. For the air force, autonomous combat jets that fly alongside manned fighters are on the roadmap. The government also committed £63 billion to strengthen the British nuclear deterrent, £11 billion to replenish ammunition and weapons stocks, and £8 billion to the GCAP next-generation fighter jet programme with Japan and Italy.

Political timing and NATO summit

Starmer will take the blueprint to the NATO summit in Ankara on 7–8 July. He wants to signal that Britain is on track to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, a response to repeated US pressure under President Donald Trump for European allies to shoulder more of the burden. With his likely successor Andy Burnham poised to enter Downing Street within weeks, Starmer acknowledged that new governments could "build" on his plan. Critics, however, called the increase too little, too late, noting that the £15 billion top-up over four years is well below the £32 billion earlier requested by the defence ministry.

We are going to transform our armed forces by giving the industry the certainty needed to invest and providing our allies with clarity on our intentions.