A recently announced Defence Investment Plan by Keir Starmer has been sharply criticized as "woefully inadequate" by General The Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff. According to an analysis from the Ministry of Defence, an additional £28 billion in spending was deemed necessary to prepare the UK for a potential war with Russia as early as 2030. Starmer's plan, however, allocates only £15 billion, with nearly £4 billion of that amount having been previously designated for other projects, leaving a substantial shortfall.
While the plan includes notable investments such as £5 billion for unmanned aerial systems, only 20% of this is new funding. Other allocations include £500 million for Special Forces technology, £50 million for attack drones, and £115 million to counter artificial intelligence threats. The plan also outlines the development of jet-powered drones launching from aircraft carriers and six "common combat vessels" (CCVs) intended to serve as drone control hubs, potentially replacing Type 45 destroyers.
The Royal Air Force is set to develop its own drones and autonomous "wingmen" for fighter jets by 2030, and Britain remains committed to the £8.6 billion Global Combat Air Programme for sixth-generation Tempest fighter jets. Dannatt warns that an overreliance on new technology could lead to the neglect of essential, less glamorous conventional weaponry, such as destroyers and main battle tanks, which are still vital.
Dannatt also points to a discrepancy in stated defense spending commitments. At the Munich Security Conference, Starmer pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2029, a figure that has now reportedly fallen to approximately 2.7%. A further target of 3.5% by the mid-2030s also appears to be slipping away. This contrasts with Germany's target of 3.7% by 2030 and Poland's current spending of 4.8%, with Poland advocating for NATO allies to reach 5% by 2030.
The article also raises questions about the commitment of potential future leadership, specifically mentioning Andy Burnham. Dannatt notes that Burnham's recent "coronation" speech in Manchester made only brief references to national security and did not mention defense. This has led to the inference that defense may not be a top priority for Burnham, prompting calls from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for a General Election if Burnham does not commit to funding defense.
Dannatt emphasizes that adequate defense spending is crucial for deterrence and preventing conflict, rather than financing actual warfare. He states that Britain currently lacks the necessary deterrent and that the underfunded settlement heightens security risks. The article concludes by noting that both allies and adversaries are watching to see how the UK will address its defense posture under potentially new leadership.