UK Defence Secretary Announces £5 Billion Investment in Drones, Laser Technology

The UK government is set to invest £5 billion ($6.75 billion) over the next five years in military drones and laser weapon systems, as announced by Defence Secretary John Healey following the Strategic Defence Review. The funding includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems and £1 billion for directed energy weapons like the DragonFire laser, which will be deployed on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers by 2027. This investment aims to transform the UK's armed forces by integrating advanced drone technology, artificial intelligence, and hybrid carrier systems to enhance battlefield lethality and operational readiness. Drones have proven highly effective in recent conflicts, notably in Ukraine, where they have been responsible for 70-80% of battlefield casualties and were used in a major attack destroying over 40 Russian bombers. The UK plans to establish a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre by 2026 to accelerate deployment of these systems across all military branches, with a strategic formation mixing crewed, reusable, and consumable platforms. These initiatives are designed to keep the UK at the forefront of NATO innovation and provide cost-effective defenses against emerging aerial threats.