UK unveils record defence spending plan with focus on drones and AI

The UK government has announced its Defence Investment Plan (DIP), a £298 billion (€348 billion) four-year spending programme that marks the largest increase in military spending since the Cold War. The plan adds £15 billion (€17.4 billion) to the defence budget, funded by a 1% cut in other ministerial budgets Source: infobae.

Key details

• Drone and AI investment: Over £5 billion (€5.8 billion) will be allocated to drones, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence across all armed forces Source: abces.
• Navy transformation: The Royal Navy will become a hybrid force, combining manned vessels with autonomous platforms, including six new 'Common Combat Vessels' Source: euronewses.
• Spending targets: The plan aims to reach 2.7% of GDP on defence by 2029, with a long-term goal of 3.5% by 2035 Source: elespanol. Some reports mention a 5% NATO target by 2035 Source: abces.

Political context

The plan arrives amid political turmoil: Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation days earlier, and former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned in June, calling the budget insufficient Source: diariolibree. The DIP is seen as a response to Russia's war in Ukraine and NATO pressure to increase spending Source: euronewses.