Keir Starmer's reported decision to abandon plans to replace 13 ageing Royal Navy vessels in favour of drones has provoked outrage. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) no longer includes funding for up to eight Type 83 destroyers or five Type 32 frigates. Instead, autonomous vehicles are set to receive greater priority as the Government modernises Britain's Armed Forces amid rising threats from Russia and other adversaries.
Criticism from Shadow Defence Secretary
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge told the Daily Express: "This is all too little, too late from Labour on defence." He added: "If correct, these reports suggest Labour's long-delayed defence plan will have barely any more cash than the previous one - which their own former defence secretary, John Healey, said in his resignation letter would make Britain 'less safe'. How can that situation have changed with such a small addition of cash?" Cartlidge concluded: "So it's no surprise we are hearing reports of capabilities being scrapped, just at the time we are meant to be strengthening our Armed Forces."
Funding Shortfall and Political Fallout
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis indicated on Saturday that talks with the Treasury over the DIP had progressed in recent days. However, his predecessor resigned earlier this month because the DIP was only due to provide £13.5 billion extra investment, which he said fell "well short" of what was needed. Reports suggest just £1 billion has been added since John Healey quit over the amount offered.
Cartlidge asserted: "As is now glaringly obvious, the lack of cash on offer for defence is because Labour prioritised welfare spending over properly funding our military." He further stated: "This is a big part of why Starmer had to resign, and after delaying the DIP for months he's suddenly rushing it through at the last minute in a desperate bid to secure some kind of legacy. This is no way to run a country and the brilliant men and women of our Armed Forces deserve much better."
Details of the Scrapped Ships and Drone Shift
The Royal Navy's Type 45 air defence destroyers were slated for retirement by the end of the 2030s, to be replaced by Type 83s. Type 32 frigates, still at the concept stage, were intended as launchpads for mine-hunting and anti-submarine drones. Ministers now plan to fill the frigate gap by establishing an "uncrewed systems taskforce" based at a drone facility in Swindon, according to The Times, which first reported the scrapping of the ships' replacement.
Timing and NATO Summit
Sir Keir is expected to publish the DIP before a NATO summit on July 7, despite major policy and spending commitments being paused across Government during the transition of power to a new Prime Minister. The move could cause friction with his likely successor, Andy Burnham, who may want final say on future military funding.
The Government stated it is delivering a generational increase in defence spending, with an extra £270 billion across this parliament. It added: "The DIP will deliver the best kit into the hands of our Armed Forces. Work on the plan is continuing at pace to finalise and publish it ahead of the NATO summit."
