Starmer unveils £298 billion UK defence plan with major drone warfare push

Britain's caretaker Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday unveiled a major defence spending plan centred on strengthening the country's ability in drone warfare, in one of his last major policy moves after announcing his resignation last week. The proposed Defence Investment Plan is backed by 298 billion pounds over the next four years and includes 15 billion pounds in additional spending after criticism within his Cabinet over whether the UK had enough funding to stay prepared for modern warfare.

Starmer said the plan would strengthen the armed forces with more troops, rebuilt ammunition stockpiles and investment in advanced technology. He also said the UK's defence spending was "on track" to rise to 2.7 per cent of GDP, at a time when US President Donald Trump has been pressing NATO members to raise defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035.

"This record investment puts the security of the British public first, transforming our armed forces and giving them the funding and equipment they need to fight and defend our nation," Starmer said. "The world is a more dangerous and volatile place, so it is only right we are boosting the number of troops on the ground, rebuilding ammunition stockpiles and investing in cutting-edge technology to ensure we outpace our adversaries for generations to come," he said.

According to a Downing Street statement, more than 5 billion pounds over the next four years will go towards a drone transformation for the UK's armed forces. "As part of this, 650 million pounds will deliver inexpensive expendable autonomous systems, including drones and uncrewed ground vehicles, to rapidly enhance the lethality of the Army, Commando Force and Special Forces," it said. More than 8 billion pounds has also been set aside for the Global Combat Air Programme over the next four years, which is developing a "next-generation stealth fighter jet for the Royal Air Force (RAF)" alongside Japan and Italy.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, "I have boosted defence spending to the highest level since the Cold War – and today's Defence Investment Plan goes further still, committing almost 300 billion pounds over this Parliament to transform our armed forces." Reeves is also expected to be moved out of the Cabinet when a new leader replaces Starmer by mid-July. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said, "By choosing to embrace new technology, I am equipping our forces with the autonomous systems which will give them the edge. This extra money and these choices send a clear signal to our allies and our adversaries alike: Britain is stepping up on security."

The plan is expected to create about 60,000 additional direct and indirect jobs in the UK defence industry by the end of the decade. It was announced alongside a new 50-billion-pound defence export facility set up by UK Export Finance to help British defence firms secure contracts worldwide. The UK Ministry of Defence said this would support defence companies of all sizes and improve the country's position in a fast-growing market. A further 115 million pounds has been earmarked to strengthen the UK's defences against threats linked to artificial intelligence, including using AI to improve biosecurity and reduce risks from autonomous AI agents. Overall, the package combines higher military spending, investment in new technology and support for defence exports as Starmer sets out one of his final policy measures in office.

With PTI Inputs