UK government shifts naval funding from new warships to drone systems

The government has abandoned plans to fund up to eight Type 83 destroyers and five Type 32 frigates under its Defence Investment Plan. Funding that had been earmarked for replacing 13 ageing Royal Navy warships will instead support drone technology and autonomous vehicles.

Type 32 frigates had remained at the conceptual stage and were intended as platforms for mine-hunting and anti-submarine drones.

Revised priorities Under the updated approach, an uncrewed systems taskforce will be established at a drone facility in Swindon. Officials said the shift aims to modernise military capabilities amid threats from Russia. The government maintains the plan delivers £270 billion in additional defence spending across the current parliament.

The Defence Investment Plan is scheduled for release ahead of a NATO summit on July 7.

Funding concerns The former defence secretary resigned earlier this month, stating in his resignation letter that the £13.5 billion in additional investment fell well short of requirements and would make Britain less safe. Reports indicate roughly £1 billion has been added to the plan since the resignation.

The shadow defence secretary told the Daily Express that the strategy contains barely any additional funding compared with its predecessor and described the approach as too little, too late. The government has said it is delivering a generational boost to defence spending.

The outgoing prime minister intends to proceed with publication of the plan despite the transition to a new prime minister in the coming weeks.