The Prime Minister said the defence investment plan will keep the country 'safe and secure long into the future' with £5billion to ramp up the UK’s use of drones and autonomous weapons22:30, 29 Jun 2026Keir Starmer is set to unveil a long-delayed plan to future-proof Britain’s armed forces with a “game-changing” investment.‌The Prime Minister said it will keep the country “safe and secure long into the future” with £5billion to ramp up the UK’s use of drones and autonomous weapons.‌In one of his final speeches before his expected departure from No10 on July 20, Mr Starmer will add on Tuesday that the plan, which was originally set to be published last year, will boost the armed forces on land, at sea, and in the air.‌Proposals have already been confirmed to equip the UK’s elite Commando Force with high-speed boats and lethal strike drones, and to replace the Navy’s ageing destroyers with drone-equipped warships.The defence investment plan (Dip) will shape the future of the country’s military but has been held back by bitter rows over funding. Earlier this month the Defence Secretary John Healey quit the government, accusing the government of being unwilling to commit the resources needed to defend the country.Defence minister Al Carns also resigned on the same day, saying: “We are still purchasing capability suitable for the last war while our adversaries arm for the next one.”‌New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis is already understood to have secured another £1billion on top of the £13.5billion Mr Healey was offered. This takes the total settlement closer to £15billion over the next four years but still falls short of the £28billion defence chiefs have reportedly said was needed.Ahead of launching the plans on Tuesday, Mr Starmer said: "This game-changing investment will strengthen our Armed Forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.”‌He added: "At the same time, we are backing British innovation, British industry and British jobs and delivering opportunity to every corner of the country. Today's Defence Investment Plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future."Mr Jarvis added: "Our Armed Forces are serving at an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable time. We are determined to give them what they need as they serve with courage and exceptional skill to keep us safe. The character of warfare is rapidly changing. In Ukraine and the Middle East, uncrewed systems are defining conflicts."This largest ever UK investment into these evolving technologies will help our Armed Forces stay ahead of our adversaries, backed by the best of our defence industry. We are giving our extraordinary people the equipment they need to fight and win."Article continues belowBut the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the government of short-changing the armed forces. He said: "This late and underfunded plan is unforgivable. It is a political choice that makes us all less safe, puts jobs at risk and threatens businesses across the country in supply chains."The Government have dangerously short-changed our Armed Forces when they need urgent investment after years of Conservative negligence. Defence chiefs have been forced to make hard choices, when they should be given what they need.”