The outgoing prime minister said the plan will increase U.K. defense spending by 27% in real terms by 2030 while expanding drones, warships, nuclear capabilities and next-generation aircraft.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a major defense investment plan Tuesday that would raise military spending by 27% in real terms by 2030, setting up Britain for its largest armed forces expansion since the end of the Cold War.
The Defense Investment Plan commits an additional £15 billion, or $20 billion, over the next four years. The funding would bring total British defense spending to £298 billion, or $393 billion, through the end of the decade.
Starmer, who is expected to leave office next month after losing support from Labour lawmakers, framed the plan as one of the central accomplishments of his premiership.
“This game-changing investment will strengthen our Armed Forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe,” Starmer said.
The proposal would lift Britain’s annual defense budget to nearly £80 billion by 2029, an increase of about 5% per year. According to the government, the spending path would put the United Kingdom on course to meet NATO’s goal of devoting 3.5% of gross domestic product to core defense by 2035. Total security spending would reach 4.2% of GDP.
Reuters reported that the increase comes as European countries respond to pressure from President Donald Trump to take on a larger share of NATO’s defense burden.
British officials said the plan would make the United Kingdom the third-largest defense spender in cash terms among NATO’s 32 members and place it among Europe’s leading military powers.
The blueprint focuses heavily on adapting Britain’s armed forces to modern warfare, with officials citing lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East.
More than £5 billion, or $6.6 billion, will be directed toward drones, autonomous weapons and unmanned systems over the next four years. Officials described it as the largest drone investment in British military history.
The Royal Navy would receive six new warships while also developing a “Hybrid Fleet” that combines traditional ships with autonomous surface and underwater drones.
The Army would deploy new autonomous combat drones alongside Apache attack helicopters under Project NYX. The Royal Air Force would pursue autonomous fighter aircraft designed to operate with manned jets by 2030.
The investment plan also includes funding to strengthen Britain’s nuclear deterrent, support development of a next-generation stealth fighter aircraft and establish a £2.1 billion Defense Innovation Fund intended to accelerate military technology research.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a good step towards reaching the 3.5% of GDP on defense agreed in The Hague last year.”
BAE Systems, Britain’s largest defense contractor, also backed the plan.
“The government’s commitment to increased defense spending is vital to sustaining the specialist skills across our industrial base critical to national security,” BAE Systems Chief Executive Charles Woodburn said.
The spending increase did not satisfy all defense advocates. Military leaders had pushed for an additional £28 billion over four years, nearly twice the amount Starmer approved.
Retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe criticized the plan as “cost-cutting by another name,” saying equipment purchases could still be delayed and that training, infrastructure maintenance and logistics may face reductions.
Starmer said the package is fully funded through shifting money from other government priorities, including delayed road and energy projects.
“When the world is arming and aggression is rising, the best way to avoid war is to prepare for it,” Starmer said. “The best way to defend is to deter — to have the strength to make your adversaries think again before they act.”
Starmer acknowledged that Andy Burnham, his expected successor later this month, would decide whether to expand the modernization program further.
The plan leaves Britain on a path toward higher NATO defense spending targets while committing billions of pounds to drones, naval modernization, nuclear deterrence and advanced air power at a time of rising security concerns across Europe.
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