Britain’s armed forces are to spend billions on drones after the flying weapons played a key role in the Ukraine conflict. Defence Secretary John Healey announced £5 billion will be spent on drones and laser technology as he set out the UK’s plans at a meeting with NATO defence ministers in Brussels.
He said: “We will invest in technology to give our troops the edge in the battlefields of the future, transforming our Armed Forces and boosting our warfighting readiness. This will increase our lethality, provide a powerful deterrent to our adversaries, and put the UK at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.”
Ukraine used drones to destroy more than 40 Russian bombers in a spectacular attack over the weekend. More than 100 drones hit nuclear-capable long-range bombers deep inside Russia as part of Operation Spiderweb.
But the weapons, ranging in size from a few centimetres to 20 meters wide, have been used extensively throughout the war by both sides. They can carry explosive payloads but are also used for reconnaissance, transporting equipment or as decoys.
The UK government says it is ramping up investment in new technology as part of the Strategic Defence Review announced by Sir Keir Starmer earlier in the week. The Ministry of Defence will spend at least 10% of its budget on drones and technology including a “Digital Targeting Web” to help the Army rapidly find and strike enemy targets.
The government has also launched a procurement scheme encouraging defence companies to submit ideas for new digital systems, including AI that can make decisions on the battlefield.
To boost the Royal Navy, the government is to invest in “hybrid” carrier systems, where an aircraft carrier’s F-35B jet fighters are complemented by weapons such as drones.
While in Brussels the Defence Secretary is expected to join defence ministers from Canada, Denmark, Norway and Poland to sign a document to join the UK-led NATO Flight Training Europe project, which delivers a network of training campuses to train pilots for jet fighters, helicopters, and transport aircraft.
Sir Keir Starmer will host Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte in London on Monday, Downing Street has said.
“You can expect the Prime Minister to raise how we can ensure all allies meet their stated pledges in support of our collective defence, to keep people safe”, the spokesman said.
The former Dutch prime minister is thought to be pushing for Nato members to commit to spending 3.5% on the military, with a further 1.5% on defence-related measures.