The UK Defence Investment Plan, designed to fund military equipment and services to achieve warfighting readiness, has been delayed since 2025 due to budget disputes within the government [1, 2].
Chief of the Defence Staff Richard Knighton warned on June 5 that Britain faces the greatest threats since the Cold War from Russia’s growing aggression. He said, "Russia is definitely raising the stakes and risks crossing a line. We need to spend more on defence and do it faster." [1] Knighton highlighted increased Russian incursions into British airspace, cyberattacks, sabotage, and attempts to steal technology as key threats [1].
The defence funding shortfall is estimated at £28 billion (RM151 billion) over the next four years, which has contributed to the plan’s delay [1, 2]. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, aiming to raise it to 3% of national output during the next parliament [1, 2]. Starmer said, "It is no exaggeration to say that we’re living in more dangerous and volatile times than at any time in my life." [2]
Despite these pledges, Starmer has faced criticism for not fully following through on defence spending promises. Former Defence Secretary and NATO chief George Robertson said in April that there was "a gap between Starmer's rhetoric and action" and that he was "not willing to make the necessary investment" in defence [1, 2].
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged European leaders, including Starmer, to increase defence spending and reduce their reliance on the US [1, 2].
The UK government is determined to publish the Defence Investment Plan before the NATO summit on July 7, a deadline reiterated by Starmer [1, 2]. This publication will detail how the UK plans to address the funding shortfall amid escalating security threats from Russia.