The UK government has announced a £3.7 billion boost to defence spending, with new money earmarked for drones and laser weapons as part of its plans to turn Britain into a ‘defence industrial superpower’.
Boost for UK Defence: New Spending Announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves
The UK government has announced a significant boost to defence spending, with new money earmarked for drones and laser weapons. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has vowed to turn Britain into a ‘defence industrial superpower’ as part of her spring statement.
The UK's defence budget has been a subject of debate for decades.
According to the Ministry of Defence, in 2020, the UK spent approximately £46 billion on defence, accounting for around 2% of its GDP.
Historically, the UK has maintained a significant military presence, with defence spending peaking at 4.5% of GDP during the Cold War era.
In recent years, the UK has prioritized defence modernization, investing in new technologies and equipment to enhance its military capabilities.
A £2.2bn Rise in Defence Spending
As part of the increase, four Royal Navy warships are set to receive DragonFire laser weaponry that use intense light beams to cut through targets. This technological boost is expected to revolutionise Britain’s armed forces. The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) equipment budget will also see a minimum 10% allocation for novel technologies, including drones and AI-enabled kit.
Laser weapons have undergone significant advancements in recent years, with improvements in power output and beam quality.
High-energy lasers can now achieve kilowatt-level power outputs, making them effective against small targets such as drones and incoming missiles.
Solid-state lasers offer higher efficiency and reliability compared to traditional gas-based systems.
Research is ongoing to develop more compact and affordable laser technologies for military applications.
New Quango to Maximize Spending Benefits
A new quango, the Defence Growth Board, has been announced as part of the plans. This move is aimed at maximising the benefits from every pound spent on defence, putting it firmly at the heart of industrial strategy. UK Export Finance will also receive £2bn to provide loans for overseas buyers of UK defence products.
Concerns Over Cuts to Aid Budget
However, the extra defence funding has come at the cost of cuts to the aid budget, which have been confirmed to start immediately from the new financial year (2025-26). Tobias Ellwood, a former minister at the MoD, expressed concerns that the money was coming at the cost of Britain’s ‘soft power’ capability. Dr David Blagden, an associate professor of international security and strategy at the University of Exeter, welcomed the confirmation of additional funding for refurbishing housing stock used by armed forces and their families.
A Positive Start, But Realism Needed
Despite the promise of new technologies and a boost to defence spending, there is a need for realism. Dr Blagden noted that while the extra money will help sustain current programmes, it’s not enough to allow the services to meaningfully increase their numbers of soldiers, ships, or aircraft. Nevertheless, the announcement marks an important step forward in turning Britain into a ‘defence industrial superpower’.
The UK's defence spending has been a topic of debate in recent years.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the UK's military expenditure as a percentage of GDP decreased from 2.6% in 2013 to 1.9% in 2020.
This decrease is partly due to the country's economic constraints and its decision to reduce defence spending by £1.8 billion between 2015 and 2020.
However, the UK still maintains a significant military presence worldwide, with bases in Cyprus, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) allocates approximately £46.2 billion for defence spending between 2020 and 2025.
