Overview
- The government has published a Defence Investment Plan that adds £15 billion for the armed forces but leaves about £4.7–5 billion unfunded and asks the Ministry of Defence to find large efficiencies.
- On Tuesday two former senior military figures told MPs the year‑long delay cost vital time, that the UK faces daily Russian hostile activity, and that the pause was “profoundly dangerous” for readiness.
- Former NATO chief George Robertson warned allies may give the UK a frosty reception at the Ankara summit because the plan does not map a credible route to reach NATO’s 3.5% of GDP core‑defence target.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has publicly attacked Prime Minister Keir Starmer and questioned the readiness of Andy Burnham to fill the funding hole, making the unresolved choices a key issue for the incoming prime minister.
- Senior witnesses said major capability gaps remain: integrated missile defence may need tens of billions over a decade while the DIP allocates about £1 billion, and the MoD faces industrial strain and must deliver £10–11 billion of savings.