British military officials have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to invest in advanced weaponry, warning that without significant upgrades, the UK risks being unprepared for potential future conflicts, including with Russia. According to reports in The Telegraph, military leaders emphasized the need for a “national arsenal” of advanced systems, including first-person view (FPV) drones, suicide drones, and unmanned ground and surface vehicles.
During a meeting on Friday, top military officials reportedly told Starmer that modernizing the armed forces was crucial not only for national security but also for economic growth. A source quoted by The Telegraph stated that increasing investment in uncrewed and lower-cost weapons systems, rather than relying primarily on traditional high-sophistication platforms like tanks and attack helicopters, would enhance the UK’s military capability. The source also suggested that economic leverage could be a strategic tool, arguing that “markets will do more than missiles” to deter authoritarian states.
The call for increased military investment comes as Starmer has indicated that the UK is prepared to send troops to Ukraine as part of a post-war security arrangement. Writing in The Telegraph, he stated that Britain must be “ready and willing” to contribute to Ukraine’s security guarantees, including the potential deployment of UK forces. His comments were made ahead of a European leaders’ meeting in Paris, where discussions were expected to focus on concerns about the future of US military support under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Despite the calls for increased spending, the government has maintained its commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, though it has resisted pressure to accelerate that timeline. The UK has pledged £3 billion annually in military aid to Ukraine until 2030, with Starmer stating that any future peace agreement must ensure long-term stability and prevent further aggression from Russia.
