UK Announces Record £5 Billion Drone Investment to Boost Autonomous Combat Capabilities Across All Three Services
The UK government has unveiled a plan to invest more than £5 billion (approximately $6.6 billion) in uncrewed and autonomous systems over the next four years under its new Defence Investment Plan. The funding will support programmes across the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force — including armed drones, electronic warfare UAVs, and an uncrewed combat air demonstrator — marking the largest drone investment in UK armed forces history.
Highlights
- The UK government will invest more than £5 billion ($6.6 billion) in uncrewed and autonomous systems over four years under its Defence Investment Plan — the largest drone investment in UK armed forces history.
- Project NYX aims to deploy up to 24 armed drones into British Army service by 2030, while Project Corvus will replace the existing Watchkeeper surveillance UAV.
- The Royal Air Force's Storm Shroud electronic warfare UAV is expected to enter operational service in 2025, with an uncrewed combat air demonstrator to be completed before 2030.
- The Royal Navy will receive at least six vessels with drone command-and-control capabilities, and the Royal Marines will expand their autonomous operational capacity.
- A new task force and the Uncrewed Systems Centre in Swindon will be funded to accelerate government-industry collaboration on defence drone programmes.
The UK government has announced plans to invest more than £5 billion (approximately $6.6 billion) in uncrewed and autonomous systems over the next four years under its new Defence Investment Plan — the largest such investment in the history of the UK armed forces.
Tri-Service Expansion of Drone Capabilities
The funding will support a sweeping expansion of drone and autonomous system capabilities across the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. It will also provide financial backing for the Uncrewed Systems Centre in Swindon and the establishment of a new task force designed to accelerate collaboration between government and the defence industry.
British Army: Three Flagship Programmes
The British Army is set to advance three major uncrewed systems initiatives under the plan:
- RAPSTONE: Development of uncrewed helicopters capable of operating as loyal wingmen alongside manned aircraft.
- Project NYX: Deployment of up to 24 armed drones by 2030.
- Project Corvus: Replacement of the in-service Watchkeeper surveillance UAV platform.
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
The Royal Navy is expected to receive at least six vessels equipped with drone command-and-control capabilities, while the Royal Marines will see a significant expansion of their autonomous operational capacity.
Royal Air Force: Combat Air Demonstrator and Electronic Warfare UAV
For the Royal Air Force, the Collaborative Combat Air programme will continue its development of an uncrewed combat air demonstrator, targeted for completion before 2030. In addition, the electronic warfare drone Storm Shroud is expected to enter operational service this year.
Prime Minister Starmer: Defence Strength and Domestic Innovation
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the investment is intended not only to strengthen the UK armed forces but also to drive domestic innovation and support the growth of the British defence industry.
Source: UK Government / Defence Investment Plan
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