The UK Armed Forces are set to receive the largest ever drone investment within the Defence Investment Plan, with more than £5 billion over the next four years towards new technology and infrastructure to keep the nation at the leading edge of innovation, and back British jobs.
New investment will keep the country safe for years to come by accelerating the use of drones and autonomous systems to build a flexible, integrated force with attack drones flying alongside Army helicopters, JAF jets made invisible from enemy detection with new drones, and a hybrid Royal Navy made up of crewed and uncrewed vessels.
Additionally, investment will be allocated towards funding Europe’s biggest drone testing centre, the Uncrewed Systems Centre, opened earlier this month in Swindon, and a new Uncrewed Systems Taskforce to rapidly develop and field new autonomous capabilities with industry.
This will ensure the UK can continuously scale production and get the very latest drones into the hands of our Armed Forces to protect the UK and our Allies.
These investments are accompanied by a series of other crucial allocations made by the Government within the wider Defence Investment Plan to go further and faster on defence spending with a focus on protecting national security, driving growth across the country and delivering opportunity.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“As the home and heart of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth knows better than anywhere the importance of investing in our nation’s defence. That’s why I warmly welcome today’s Defence Investment Plan and its commitment to the future of the Royal Navy.
“The investment in a Hybrid Navy, alongside the commitment to build at least six new warships delivering the UK’s next generation of maritime air defence capability, is excellent news for Portsmouth. It will help keep our Armed Forces equipped for the challenges of the future while supporting skilled jobs, apprenticeships and our proud naval heritage.
“This Government is matching its commitment to our Armed Forces with long-term investment in the people, technology and capabilities that keep Britain safe. That’s good for Portsmouth, good for our defence industry and good for the security of our country.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“This game-changing investment will strengthen our Armed Forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.
“At the same time, we are backing British innovation, British industry and British jobs and delivering opportunity to every corner of the country.
“The Defence Investment Plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.”
