Political situation in the UK

British defense spending criticized: “Too little, too late”

The defense investment plan that Britain’s outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer has presented is an improvement compared to previous announcements – but still not enough. This is the opinion of both the political opposition and the former army chief of staff Richard Dannatt.

“It is a step in the right direction, but it is not the sharp increase that the country requires and that our allies expect,” Dannatt told The Guardian.

At the same time, a defense policy spokesman for the British Conservative Party describes the investment as “too little, too late,” reports the AP news agency.

The investment plan will be presented in its entirety on Tuesday. However, it is already clear that it is designed according to the Ukrainian model, with a strong focus on drones and other unmanned combat vehicles.

UK re-equips following Ukrainian model

UK is expected to present the biggest restructuring of its armed forces in decades on Tuesday, reports Politico.

The defence is to change with clear inspiration from Ukraine, with a focus on cheap weapons systems that can defeat high-value targets. At the same time, the pace of innovation is to increase sharply, with development cycles to be measured in weeks instead of years, according to the British Ministry of Defence.

The investment plan, which will be one of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's last major investments before he steps down, also includes several notable changes. Among other things, the UK is expected to downgrade the traditional naval combat capability that has long been a hallmark of the country's military. The plan does not include any new funding for the eight Type 83 destroyers or Type 32 frigates, which have been a central part of the fleet's reconstruction until 2030.

Instead, six new warships will be built to serve as lead ships for unmanned systems, including Type 93 anti-submarine warfare vessels.