Britain Announces Defense Plan Focused on Drones and New Spending

The government announced a defense investment plan Tuesday that places self-flying fighter jets, uncrewed submarines, and drones at the center of future military capabilities. The plan allocates 5 billion pounds for drone technology, 8 billion pounds for new stealth fighter jets developed with Japan and Italy, and 11 billion pounds to increase weapons stockpiles.

The blueprint adds 15 billion pounds in new spending, bringing total defense outlays to nearly 300 billion pounds over the next four years. Defense spending is projected to reach 2.7 percent of GDP by 2029, with a 3 percent target set for the next Parliament and a NATO commitment of 3.5 percent by 2035.

The new funding exceeds the 13.5 billion pounds previously offered by Treasury officials but falls short of the 28 billion pounds sought by defense officials. The plan does not commit to spending 3 percent of GDP by 2030, a point cited by the former defense secretary when he resigned on June 11.

The former defense secretary told the House of Commons that Britain needs a funding plan to meet the 3 percent and 3.5 percent NATO targets. His successor worked to strengthen the plan, according to the prime minister.

The Royal Navy will receive hybrid vessels to serve as command hubs for drones rather than a planned fleet of new destroyers. The government said 64 billion pounds will go toward modernizing nuclear weapons. The prime minister stated that some road and energy projects will be canceled to help finance the military increase.

Opposition Conservative Party defense spokesperson James Cartlidge called the plan too little, too late. A retired general who helped lead a defense review said more money is needed sooner and that Britain is not keeping pace with allies or adversaries.