Former Chief of the Defence Staff. Radakin urges defence to be a priority for the next prime minister amid funding gaps.
The incoming UK prime minister is urged to boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 as experts warn current plans are too bare to deter threats from Moscow. A Defence Investment Plan is due to be published before the NATO summit, with ministers negotiating funding amid resignations in the MoD.
Britain’s Defence Investment Plan has been published, signalling a £15bn uplift to core spending but falling short of the £28bn sought by defence chiefs. The package includes progress on a drone transformation and nuclear deterrent funding, while ministers warn that some road and energy projects will be scrapped to fund it. The timing is sensitive as a new prime minister prepares to take office.