Published by the Ministry of Defence in 2026, the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) sets out the UK government’s strategic roadmap for defence spending over the next four years and beyond, backed by £298 billion in total investment through to 2029/30.
The plan is framed around three core pillars: transforming the Armed Forces for modern warfighting, backing British industry and jobs, and stepping up UK leadership within NATO. It implements the vision of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, which the government inherited alongside a programme described as underfunded and overcommitted, with 47 out of 49 major defence projects delayed or over budget.
The DIP responds to a sharply deteriorating security environment, citing growing Russian aggression, ongoing conflicts across multiple continents, an Iran war that has reshaped the Middle East, and the accelerating pace of technological change on the battlefield. Lessons drawn from Ukraine run throughout the document, particularly around autonomous systems, AI-enabled targeting, drone warfare, and the importance of industrial resilience.
Key investment priorities include over £63 billion for the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, £27.8 billion for air capabilities including GCAP, £20 billion for land lethality, £5 billion for autonomous systems, and significant new funding for cyber, space, and missile defence. The plan also commits to raising defence spending to 2.7% of GDP by 2027/28, with a longer-term NATO commitment to reach 3.5% by 2035.
