Image: UK MoD Crown Copyright
Britain will invest more than £5 billion in drones and autonomous systems over the next four years, marking the largest such commitment in UK military history. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the funding as part of the Government’s Defence Investment Plan, launched today at a British defence firm.
The investment forms a central pillar of a wider drone transformation across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, as per a recent press statement. Officials say the plan responds directly to lessons from Ukraine and Iran, where conflicts have shown drones reshaping modern warfare at speed.
Ukraine currently uses around 200,000 drones each month to counter Russia’s invasion. During the recent Iran conflict, adversaries launched up to 700 offensive drones daily.
The funding will support Europe’s largest drone testing facility, the Uncrewed Systems Centre in Swindon, which opened earlier this month. A new Uncrewed Systems Taskforce will work alongside industry to accelerate development and fielding of autonomous capabilities.
The Royal Navy will introduce four new uncrewed vessel types, including missile platforms and submarine-hunting systems, as it transitions toward a hybrid crewed and uncrewed fleet. The Army will deploy Project NYX, fielding up to 24 autonomous armed drones alongside Apache helicopters by 2030. The RAF will bring its Storm Shroud electronic warfare drone into service this year.
Prime Minister Starmer commented: “This game-changing investment will strengthen our Armed Forces on land, at sea and in the air.”
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP added: “Uncrewed systems are defining conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.”
At least six new warships will also support the Royal Navy’s expanded maritime air defence capability, securing British shipyard jobs for decades to come.
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Read more on the UK MoD website
