Details of the UK government’s new Defence Investment Plan (DIP) have been revealed ahead of its expected publication before the Nato summit on July 7.
Dramatic changes to the defence strategy reportedly include dropping plans for up to eight Type 83 destroyers and five Type 32 frigates to direct more money towards uncrewed systems.
The UK will increase investment in drones, autonomous surface and underwater vessels, long-range missiles, electronic warfare and AI-enabled systems after conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East highlighted their growing importance.
Officials say Dan Jarvis has also “shifted” the focus of spending in the DIP since he became Defence Secretary towards providing kit to troops on the front line.
He is understood to have secured around £1 billion extra for the plan in negotiations with the Treasury, on top of the £13.5 billion offer that prompted his predecessor John Healey to resign.
Warfighting readiness and integrated autonomy are expected to be the two key priorities in the “refreshed” version of the blueprint for future-proofing the armed forces.
More money to seize Russian shadow fleet vessels
Officials say the funding will partly go towards new high-speed commando insertion craft – special vessels used to covertly transport troops from the rapid-response force – which could be used for operations including the seizure of Russian shadow fleet vessels.
It comes after Royal Marine commandos intercepted the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in the early hours of Sunday, 14 June, in the first UK-led operation to seize a sanctioned Russian shadow-fleet vessel.
Around £100 million will also be committed to new technologies, including uncrewed vessels, “next-generation communications” and strike drones, they said.
The DIP was originally due last year, but has been held back amid wrangling within Government over the amount of money required to finance the military.
Mr Healey quit his Cabinet post earlier this month because the blueprint was only due to provide £13.5 billion extra investment, which he said fell “well short” of what was needed.
The Ministry of Defence said the plan will see the UK work with Norway, a Nato ally with which Britain has partnered amid increased Russian submarine activity in the High North.
The Defence Secretary told the Press Association on Saturday that “real progress” had been made, but work was ongoing to “get it right” ahead of publication, which is expected before July 7 in advance of the Nato summit.
“I’ve been working very hard since I was appointed to satisfy myself that we’ve got the right resource and the right mix of capabilities,” he said.
“I have a responsibility to make sure I get it right and that is what I’m working to achieve.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to press ahead with publishing the DIP before the July 7 Nato summit, despite major policy and spending commitments being paused across Government more widely in preparation for the transition of power in the coming weeks.
The move could potentially cause friction with his likely successor, Andy Burnham, who may want to have the final say on future funding for the military.
Mr Jarvis said plans to prioritise the commandos would help give them “the equipment they need to stay ahead of our adversaries and defend us.”
“The defence investment plan will prioritise getting the latest kit into the hands of our frontline forces, so they can continue their vital work in an increasingly dangerous world,” he added.
Mr Jarvis, who served as mayor of the Sheffield City Region while Mr Burnham was Greater Manchester mayor, has joined other Cabinet ministers in publicly backing the Makerfield MP as the likely next prime minister.
“He was an exceptional mayor of Greater Manchester and I think he will be an excellent prime minister. He understands the importance of national security and making sure that we’ve got the right amount of resource to invest in our armed forces,” he said.
“That is a process that is absolutely under way, but it is on the back of a commitment already to historic levels of defence funding.
“Yes, we want to do more, and the DIP will deliver that, and, yes, we want to go further, the other side of the DIP.
“That is well understood by Andy Burnham. It’s well understood by the current Prime Minister. It’s my job to deliver for defence and that’s what I’m working hard to do.”
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