Written question asked by James Cartlidge (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2026. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Defence: Finance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Defence Select Committee session on the Defence Investment Plan on 7 July 2026, what assessment he has made of whether current defence expenditure is sufficient to meet the capability assumptions underpinning the Strategic Defence Review.

Answer

The Government is confident that the Defence Investment Plan provides the resources needed to deliver the capability priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The plan places Defence on a stronger and more sustainable footing, backed by £298 billion of investment over the next four years, including an additional £15 billion above previous plans.

The plan invests in the capabilities required to meet current and future threats. This includes over £20 billion to increase the Army's lethality, over £11 billion for munitions stockpiles and production, over £5 billion in drones, over £2.5 billion for cyber capabilities, £790 million for homeland air and missile defence, and nearly £64 billion for the UK's nuclear enterprise and deterrent.

These investments ensure that Defence is better equipped to deliver the Strategic Defence Review's vision of enhanced warfighting readiness, deterrence and national resilience.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 17375
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Defence Finance Strategic Defence Review
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Defence: Finance

Secondary information

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