Key facts
- Britain is overhauling its armed forces, adopting strategies from the war in Ukraine.
- The Defence Investment Plan will focus on inexpensive systems, drones, and rapid innovation.
- Investment in new Type 83 destroyers and Type 32 frigates will be halted.
- New Common Combat Vessels will be developed to control uncrewed systems.
- The plan includes investment in autonomous jets for the Royal Air Force.
- Britain aims to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Britain is undertaking a significant restructuring of its armed forces, drawing inspiration from the operational strategies employed during the war in Ukraine. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), to be released by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasizes the adoption of "cheap systems destroying high-value targets and innovation cycles measured in weeks, not years," according to the Ministry of Defence.
This strategic shift moves away from the traditional reliance on large, expensive platforms, such as aircraft carriers and submarines, which have long been a cornerstone of British naval power. The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerabilities of such high-cost assets and underscored the necessity for abundant, affordable drones and munitions, alongside rapid advancements in autonomous systems and AI-enabled targeting.
A notable policy within the DIP is the discontinuation of funding for up to eight Type 83 guided missile destroyers and Type 32 frigates, projects previously intended to bolster the Royal Navy. Instead, the U.K. will invest in at least six new Common Combat Vessels. These vessels will serve as control platforms for uncrewed systems, including Type 93 anti-submarine vessels and Type 91 missile platforms, as well as Type 92 and Type 94 sensor platforms for air and sea.
The Royal Air Force is also set to embrace this unmanned future with investment in a "national Collaborative Combat Air program" aimed at developing autonomous jets to operate alongside crewed aircraft, aligning with the broader sixth-generation fighter jet development under the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme.
Experts suggest this pivot is necessary for Britain to become "leaner and meaner" as a global trading power, despite the continued need for a strong navy. The DIP aims to move the U.K. closer to NATO's 2035 target of 3.5% of GDP for defense spending, though a clear funding pathway remains to be established. The plan includes approximately £15 billion in new investment over the current parliamentary term, on top of the existing £270 billion defense budget. A significant portion, £5 billion, is dedicated to drone transformation, including the establishment of Europe's largest drone testing center, inspired by Ukraine's extensive use of drones.