The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has come under fierce attack from former Nato Secretary General Lord George Robertson, who claimed it is both inadequate and woefully behind schedule. Speaking to MPs in Parliament, the veteran diplomat expressed deep concerns that the plan fails to address the escalating threats facing the UK's national security.
Lord Robertson's scathing criticism coincides with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's attendance at the Nato summit in Ankara, where the UK's defence spending commitments are set to dominate discussions. The former defence chief warned that the DIP has eroded confidence among Britain's allies and within the defence industry, sparking concerns that some firms may have been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy by the prolonged uncertainty.
Lord Robertson recalled that the original strategic defence review was based on a ten-year assessment for when a 'peer opponent' might challenge the UK. However, he warned that this timeline has drastically accelerated, with the current threat now deemed more serious and pressing than anticipated. "The challenge is bigger, earlier, and more serious than we thought," he told MPs, suggesting that the DIP falls short in addressing this new reality.
The former Nato chief also predicted a cool reception for Prime Minister Starmer at the Ankara summit, where other allied nations are substantially increasing their defence spending. This sentiment was echoed by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, who called on allies to present "clear, concrete and credible plans" to meet the organisation's spending targets – specifically mentioning an expectation for all allies to "step up immediately and get on the path to 5%" of GDP on defence.
Despite government claims that Lord Robertson's defence review last year was fully funded, military chiefs later requested an additional £28 billion to implement its recommendations. The Treasury agreed to an extra £15 billion, but £4.7 billion remains unallocated – raising questions about the incoming Prime Minister's financial priorities. Critics also point to the DIP's failure to set a clear deadline for the UK to reach 3.5% of its GDP on defence, a commitment that other nations have made with greater clarity.