UK to allocate more than £5 billion for integration of drones into armed forces

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that £5 billion will be allocated under its Defence Investment Plan to expand the use of drones and autonomous systems by the armed forces, the BBC reported.

“Overall, defence spending will increase by £15 billion, reaching £80 billion a year by 2029,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. More than £63 billion of that funding will be allocated to strengthening the UK’s nuclear deterrent, including financing submarines, developing a new nuclear warhead and purchasing 12 F-35A fighter jets. 

The investment plan had originally been due for publication last autumn, but its release was postponed several times.