UK to Invest £2bn in Drones to Make Army More Lethal
The UK government has announced a major defence shakeup, pledging an extra £2 billion to bolster its drone capabilities and integrate battlefield lessons from the war in Ukraine. Under a new strategic defence review, the plan aims to modernise Britain’s armed forces by prioritising advanced drone systems and AI-driven warfare, marking a significant pivot toward future combat readiness.
A cornerstone of the review is the establishment of a new drone centre to improve coordination and expertise across the military. The investment will focus on a mix of low-cost one-way attack drones, high-end reusable platforms, surveillance tools, and counter-drone technology.
Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs the army would become “10 times more lethal” by merging cutting-edge technologies like AI and drones with traditional firepower such as tanks and artillery. His remarks reflect the broader ambition of Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make the UK “battle-ready,” arguing during a visit to BAE Systems in Glasgow that defence spending must take precedence over other public services.
Ukraine’s conflict has underscored the transformative role of drones in modern warfare. Both Kyiv and Moscow now rely heavily on unmanned systems for reconnaissance and strikes, accounting for an estimated 70% of battlefield casualties. In a dramatic example, Ukraine recently launched a coordinated drone attack from trucks deep inside Russian territory, claiming to destroy or damage 41 aircraft.
The defence review described drones as “an essential component of land warfare,” asserting that the UK must rapidly scale up its unmanned capabilities. However, critics have warned of the risks. Chris Cole of Drone Wars UK cautioned that the increasing reliance on drones could lower the threshold for military action, making armed conflict more likely.
The 140-page review was described by Starmer as “a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger” through strong alliances and advanced technology. Labour reaffirmed its commitment to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a longer-term aim to reach 3%, though no firm timeline was offered. Critics, including the Conservatives, accused the government of lacking a financial plan to back up its ambitions.
Key measures in the review include:
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Reintroducing nuclear-capable airpower: The UK will explore purchasing F-35A jets equipped with US B61-12 nuclear bombs, pending talks with NATO and the US.
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£15bn nuclear warhead upgrade: A new generation of submarine-launched warheads will be developed, alongside a plan to build 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines in Derby and Barrow from the 2030s.
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Air and missile defence: £1bn will go toward new defence systems, with £6bn allocated for munitions and six new weapons factories to boost dwindling stockpiles.
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National defence force: A “home guard”-style reserve unit will be created to protect critical infrastructure such as airports and communication hubs during national emergencies.
The army’s size is also set to rise modestly, from 73,000 to 76,000, though Healey admitted the short-term focus was halting a decline in numbers. The total active personnel recently dropped to 70,860.
Starmer defended the lack of a concrete date for hitting the 3% defence spending mark, rejecting “performative fantasy politics” in favour of realism. The Conservatives seized on the ambiguity, claiming the Treasury had yet to approve the funding necessary for such an increase.
Starmer will present the defence vision at the upcoming NATO summit, where allies are expected to consider a proposal to boost spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, including 1.5% on cyber and infrastructure. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has gone further, calling on NATO members to spend 5% and signalling a potential US pullback from European defence commitments.
The review paints a picture of a UK military in transition, aiming to reclaim readiness in an era of rapid technological change and geopolitical uncertainty.