UK Defence Secretary John Healey is outlining his plans to bolster and support the nation's army. However, doubts over funding and the UK's ability to move swiftly are causing concern within the industry and armed forces. Last June, Healey presented a 130-page defence review, which he described as the first in a generation, aimed at developing the British army. The plan includes rebuilding weapons stockpiles, expanding the UK's nuclear deterrent and submarine fleet, and investing more in long-range weapons and advanced technologies, such as drones and laser-guided weapons. However, six months on, with a lack of clarity on funding sources beyond 2027, military leaders are increasingly concerned that the government will have to scale back its ambitions. The authors of the defence review report have called on ministers to redirect funds from social care to defence. Furthermore, there is frustration among manufacturers as they do not know when they will receive contracts, according to executives from four different companies. One stated they need to soon convince their investors that the UK government is honouring its commitments, while another mentioned that some of their smaller programmes are at risk of cancellation. 'Atlantic Fortress' Meanwhile, the UK has finally unveiled a strategy named the 'Atlantic Fortress', aimed at creating a hybrid maritime fleet combining uncrewed vessels, warships, and aircraft to better protect undersea cables and pipelines. This follows a 30% increase in the activity of Russian vessels in and around UK territorial waters. This strategy will enable the UK to identify, track, and take action against those attempting to threaten the country. Company Contracts From startups like Arundait to major firms such as Anduril Industries, Helsing, and BAE Systems, the industry has collectively invested half a billion pounds in developing military technologies for the UK market, driven by the government's promise to enhance its defences. The Ministry of Defence stated that 20 companies have showcased their technologies through demonstrations with the Royal Navy, and selected firms will receive contracts in the coming weeks to trial their equipment next year. However, UK officials have indicated that the initial government investment is expected to generate contracts worth four million pounds. The absence of a long-term defence investment plan at present (which is in the works and will detail how the Ministry of Defence will allocate funding) means the Navy does not know the additional amount it can invest in its projects beyond the next financial year. The government, however, has committed to publishing the plan's details by the end of December. Growing Concerns The UK has slipped to second place behind Germany as Europe's biggest military spender in NATO. Despite the government's commitment to raising core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, up from around 2.3% last year, it has yet to outline how it will reach 2.6% by 2027. Meanwhile, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves mentioned defence only briefly in her budget last month, heightening fears among industrial and military leaders. The Budget watchdog stated that the 2035 commitment would cost an additional 32 billion pounds in current value, describing it as a significant risk to future spending. Defence experts have warned that despite the promised spending increase, it is not enough to transform the UK's capabilities due to the need to plug the current financial gap as well as fund new capabilities. Freeing Up Resources Defence review author and former NATO chief George Robertson said last week that more pressure needs to be put on Reeves to provide the promised funds. Another author, General Richard Barrons, told the public at the Royal United Services Institute last month that finding 'billions more' from the UK's public budget was 'not impossible', but the government 'just chooses not to'. Barrons pointed to Reeves' decision to increase social care spending by 16 billion pounds in her budget and the Labour party's 'failed' attempts to find savings in other benefits budget lines. Barrons added: 'If we are going to offer ourselves this social care package at the expense of security and defence, which is what we are choosing to do at the moment, that could be seen historically as an act of self-harm. Without a national public debate about how we reduce the social care offer we give ourselves, we won't be able to free up resources to get more money for defence.' The Russian Threat The UK's announcement on maritime operations came after the Financial Times reported that the armed forces were locked in a dispute over the best way to counter the Russian threat, with fears the Navy would not get sufficient funding in the defence investment plan due to the government's priority on rebuilding the army. In response, the UK announced a new defence pact with Norway last week to form a joint fleet of warships to hunt Russian submarines, but this will not be implemented until the next decade when new frigates are built. Staying Ahead The head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Gw Jenkyns, said he was not satisfied with the readiness level of the UK's submarines and that the UK is in a race with Russia to stay ahead in terms of capabilities in the Atlantic. Jenkyns told reporters last week: 'I wouldn't say we are behind, but I would say we are under pressure.' In turn, Defence Secretary John Healey, when asked about challenges for the defence industry, reaffirmed his commitment to the defence review and readiness to make 'major investment decisions', confirming the UK's commitment of nine billion pounds over the next decade to improve service accommodation as part of a major recruitment drive, as well as a joint 100 million pound investment from the government and industry in the 'Dragon Fire' weapon system. Without clarity on funding sources beyond 2027, there is growing concern among military leaders that the government will have to scale back its ambitions. The UK has slipped to second place behind Germany as Europe's biggest military spender in NATO.
