VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Uncrewed Systems: Finance

Asked by Stuart AndersonConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 20 July 2026UIN 17408

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percent of the total defence budget is spent on uncrewed systems.

Answered by Luke Pollard

As part of the largest ever drone investment in Defence, we are spending over £5 billion on autonomous systems by 2030. Based on current plans, this equates to approximately 1.7% of the expenditure set out in the Plan's four-year funding period. I would expect this to increase further as the technologies, tactics and platforms mature.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim