London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday pledged an extra £15 billion to modernise Britain’s armed forces under a delayed investment plan aimed at preparing for future warfare. He said the plan would raise defence spending to nearly £80 billion a year by 2029.
Plan and political context
Starmer said the Defence Investment Plan went further than a previous draft that prompted his ally John Healey to resign as defence minister this month. Healey had accused Starmer of failing to secure enough money to keep Britain safe.
In what Starmer indicated was likely to be his last major policy announcement, he said the blueprint could be built on by future governments. He acknowledged this as his expected successor, Andy Burnham, is due to take power as soon as July 20.
Some critics said the plan, which had been delayed for more than nine months, was too little and too late.
NATO meeting and spending target
Starmer is due to take the plan to Ankara for a NATO meeting on July 7 to 8, where he is expected to signal that Britain is on track to meet its commitment to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement, calling it a good step towards reaching the 3.5% of GDP on defence agreed in The Hague last year.
Capabilities and investment priorities
Speaking to an audience at a defence company in southern England, Starmer said the plan would provide £5 billion for investment in drones and autonomous weapons, create a hybrid navy and make the army more lethal.
He said it would also strengthen Britain’s nuclear deterrent and support a programme to build a next-generation stealth fighter jet for the Royal Air Force. Starmer said the measures would create jobs and boost growth.
“When the world is arming and aggression is rising, the best way to avoid war is to prepare for it, the best way to defend is to deter — to have the strength to make your adversaries to think again before they act,” Starmer said.
Reaction from labour representatives
Matt Roberts, national officer of the GMB trade union, praised the plan and said it offered some stability for a sector facing insecurity. He said the challenge now was delivery.