Armed Forces: Standards

The Government is taking a broad programme of action to improve the readiness, lethality, and survivability of the Armed Forces. Through the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), we are investing £298 billion over the next four years to rebuild warfighting readiness, deliver the Strategic Defence Review, and develop a NATO-first Integrated Force. This includes action to improve recruitment, retention and morale through pay, housing, and childcare, alongside measures to grow Regular personnel numbers and strengthen the Strategic Reserve.

The DIP is also increasing the Armed Forces’ ability to deter and, if required, fight and win. We are investing in autonomous and uncrewed systems, long-range missiles, artificial intelligence, armoured vehicles, and precision strike capabilities. Key examples include more than £5 billion for autonomous systems, £1.8 billion for the Digital Targeting Web to connect sensors, decision-makers and weapons across domains, and further investment in Project ASGARD to expand the Army’s recce-strike capability.

These investments also improve survivability. The Government is strengthening protection against air, missile, drone, cyber, and electromagnetic threats, including £790 million for Integrated Air and Missile Defence, more than £750 million for short-range counter-drone protection, and £2.5 billion for the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Force. We are also investing in space-based surveillance, critical underwater infrastructure protection, battlefield protection, medical support, and counter-CBRN capabilities.

Taken together, these measures will provide improved early warning of threats, make the Armed Forces more ready to deploy, more lethal in combat, and better protected against the threats they are most likely to face. They are part of a wider programme of investment across people, stockpiles, infrastructure, digital systems, munitions, and force protection.