The funding, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey, includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra £1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers
The Government is set to invest £5 billion in military drones and lasers, aiming to equip frontline troops with “the kit of the future into the hands of frontline troops”.
Defence Secretary John Healey announced the funding, which includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, plus an additional £1 billion for lasers to safeguard British vessels and soldiers.
This follows Monday’s Strategic Defence Review, which advocated a heightened emphasis on emerging technology, such as artificial intelligence and drones, as an “immediate priority”.
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Mr Healey stated that this investment would represent “the most significant advance in UK defence technology in decades” and “ensure our armed forces have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world”.
He further commented: “We are delivering the Strategic Defence Review’s vision to put the UK at the leading edge of innovation in Nato, by backing British industry and fast-tracking the kit of the future into the hands of frontline troops.”
A portion of the funds will be used to establish a new “drone centre”, aimed at speeding up the deployment of this technology across all three branches of the military.
The focus on drone technology comes as it has demonstrated increasing lethality on the Ukrainian battlefield, where it now claims more lives than conventional artillery.
During an April conference with defence ministers from allied nations, Mr Healey reported that the UK estimates drones to be responsible for 70-80% of battlefield casualties. Sunday witnessed Ukraine conduct a significant strike on Russian airfields situated well beyond the front line, utilising an array of small drones.
The Government is not only investing in drones and artificial intelligence but has also declared an extra £1 billion funding towards “directed energy weapons” (DEWs) development within the current parliamentary period.
This ambitious plan includes equipping the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers with the DragonFire laser by 2027 and provisioning the Army with a comparable system by the close of the decade.
Designed to provide a more economical option for air defence, the use of DragonFire and other DEWs aim to counter aerial threats including drones at a mere £10 per discharge, a stark contrast to the thousands of pounds required for firing traditional weaponry.