Key facts
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer will publish the UK's Defence Investment Plan (DIP) on Tuesday.
- The DIP outlines a 10-year blueprint for the armed forces, with over £5 billion allocated to drones.
- The plan prioritizes autonomous vessels over replacing frigates, aiming to enhance the Royal Navy's capabilities.
- The DIP has faced delays and criticism regarding funding and prioritization.
- Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to inherit a significant financial burden from the plan.
Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil the UK's Defence Investment Plan (DIP), a 10-year strategy for the armed forces, in one of his final acts before an expected handover to Prime Minister-to-be Andy Burnham. The plan, due Tuesday, includes over £5 billion for drones and prioritizes autonomous vessels to enhance the Royal Navy's capabilities, while potentially deferring the replacement of frigates. The DIP has been subject to delays and criticism since last year's strategic defence review, with former officials like Lord George Robertson and John Healey accusing the government of complacency and insufficient funding.
Concerns have been raised about a potential £4.7 billion bill for the incoming government and a £28 billion hole in defense funding plans due to rising costs. Defense officials also note the government's failure to commit to increasing defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, a NATO target. While Starmer described the investment as 'game-changing' for British businesses, Burnham has made little reference to national security, focusing instead on 'social value' in procurement. The plan's publication comes ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.