Britain’s elite commando forces are set to receive a significant £500 million investment as part of a long-awaited overhaul of the nation’s defence spending strategy. The revised plan will prioritise high-speed boats and advanced strike drones, with a particular focus on operations in the High North, encompassing the Arctic Circle, amid escalating Russian activity in the region.
The new Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis, is credited with refocusing the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) since his appointment earlier this month, shifting emphasis towards equipping front-line troops. Mr Jarvis reportedly secured an additional £1 billion for the plan during negotiations with the Treasury, exceeding the £13.5 billion offer that prompted his predecessor, John Healey, to resign.
Key priorities in the “refreshed” blueprint for future-proofing the armed forces include warfighting readiness and integrated autonomy, which covers equipment such as drones, uncrewed vessels, and land vehicles. Officials indicate that a portion of the funding will be allocated to new high-speed commando insertion craft, specialised vessels designed for covert troop transport, which could be deployed in operations like the seizure of Russian shadow fleet tankers.
Around £100 million is earmarked for new technologies, including uncrewed vessels, “next-generation communications,” and strike drones. The DIP was originally scheduled for release last year but faced delays due to internal government disputes over military funding.
Mr Healey quit his Cabinet post earlier this month because the blueprint was only due to provide £13.5 billion extra investment, which he said fell “well short” of what was needed.
The Ministry of Defence said the plan will see the UK work with with Norway, a Nato ally with which Britain has partnered amid increased Russian submarine activity in the High North.
The Defence Secretary told the Press Association on Saturday that “real progress” had been made in recent days, but work was ongoing to “get it right” ahead of its expected publication before July 7.
“I’ve been working very hard since I was appointed to satisfy myself that we’ve got the right resource and the right mix of capabilities,” he said.
“I have a responsibility to make sure I get it right and that is what I’m working to achieve.”
Outgoing Prime Sir Keir Starmer is set to press ahead with publishing the Dip before the July 7 Nato summit, despite major policy and spending commitments being paused across Government more widely in preparation for the transition of power in the coming weeks.
The move could potentially cause friction with his likely successor, Andy Burnham, who may want to have the final say on future funding for the military.
Mr Jarvis said plans to prioritise the commandos would help give them “the equipment they need to stay ahead of our adversaries and defend us.”
“The defence investment plan will prioritise getting the latest kit into the hands of our frontline forces, so they can continue their vital work in an increasingly dangerous world,” he added.
Mr Jarvis, who served as mayor of the Sheffield City Region while Mr Burnham was Greater Manchester mayor, has joined other Cabinet ministers in publicly backing the Makerfield MP as the likely next prime minister.
“He was an exceptional mayor of Greater Manchester and I think he will be an excellent prime minister, he understands the importance of national security and making sure that we’ve got the right amount of resource to invest in our armed forces,” he said.
“That is a process that is absolutely under way, but it is on the back of a commitment already to historic levels of defence funding.
“Yes, we want to do more, and the Dip will deliver that, and, yes, we want to go further, the other side of the Dip.
“That is well understood by Andy Burnham. It’s well understood by the current Prime Minister. It’s my job to deliver for defence and that’s what I’m working hard to do.”
