Keir Starmer's government is facing sharp criticism over reported plans to abandon the purchase of nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets, with experts warning the move would weaken Britain's defence and embolden Vladimir Putin.
Defence Investment Plan Delays
The long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which outlines funding for the Strategic Defence Review, is expected imminently. However, leaks suggest potential cutbacks to address a reported £28 billion black hole in the defence budget. Among the most contentious proposals is scrapping the planned acquisition of 12 F-35A stealth fighter jets, just months after the government hailed them as a major boost to national security.
Critical Gap in Deterrence
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former Army officer and nuclear weapons expert, described the F-35As as essential to filling a critical gap in Britain's deterrence. These aircraft are capable of dropping US-made B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs, a capability the UK currently lacks. Without them, experts argue, the UK has no escalation ladder to counter nuclear threats, particularly from Russia's vast arsenal.
Currently, Britain's nuclear deterrence relies solely on Trident missiles—strategic weapons based on mutually assured destruction, capable of destroying entire cities. Tactical nuclear weapons like the B61-12 are smaller but still devastating, designed to flatten airfields or military formations.
Putin's Reaction
De Bretton-Gordon warned that abandoning the F-35A plans would send a dangerous signal to Moscow. "It's an indication of intent, and at this very moment, it's the wrong thing to be showing the Russians that we are looking to scale back our military capability," he said. The Kremlin, he added, would be "chuckling away" at the prospect of Britain weakening its defences.
Funding Shortfalls
No final decision has been made on the F-35As, which cost around £80 million each, and other options are under consideration. However, the delays in the Defence Investment Plan—amid a funding tussle between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury—have become a soap opera, damaging confidence among defence manufacturers.
The expected £18 billion uplift for defence is widely seen as insufficient. Critics argue that Labour inherited a hollowed-out military after years of cuts, but has played its hand poorly. The government's own rhetoric, with Sir Keir Starmer heralding the 12 jets as a "new era" for deterrence, now looks premature.
Broader Implications
The controversy comes amid wider concerns about UK defence spending and its ability to project power globally. With Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine and a volatile geopolitical landscape, the timing of potential cuts is seen as particularly damaging. As one commentator put it, "Salami-slicing Britain's defence budget and capabilities will leave Vladimir Putin laughing… and the UK weaker."
