Government’s Delayed Defence Plan Still Not Ready for Weeks

Monday, June 1, 2026

The UK government has admitted the long-delayed defence investment plan will be published in the coming weeks as disagreements over military spending persist. The plan’s release, crucial for setting the next decade’s defence priorities and funding, is now expected before the NATO summit in July but has already pushed back projects like the Tempest fighter jet.

The UK government’s long-awaited defence investment plan remains weeks away from publication, a Cabinet minister acknowledged as debates continue over the scale and funding of military spending. Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary, said the government was “close” to finalising the strategy, which was originally slated for release last year but has faced repeated delays.

The defence investment plan serves as a roadmap for military expenditure over the next decade and was promised as part of last year’s Strategic Defence Review. However, disagreements between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Treasury regarding the overall budget and financing methods have slowed progress. According to McFadden, while it may take “weeks rather than months” to publish the document, the government is prioritising accuracy and thoroughness.

Despite the delay, McFadden emphasized that defence investment has not been put on hold, noting that contracts for equipment and materiel continue to be signed. “It’s not like there’s nothing happening at the moment,” he told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.

The plan is expected to be finalized before the NATO summit scheduled for July 7, which has been identified by officials as a firm deadline. Reports indicate that the options presented to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer include a mix of increased government borrowing and significant Whitehall spending cuts. This approach aims to fund enhanced military expenditure without breaching Treasury borrowing limits.

The delayed defence investment plan is also anticipated to push back the introduction of a next-generation fighter jet intended to succeed the current Typhoon fleet. The project, known as Tempest, is part of ambitions to establish a modern Royal Air Force by 2035. However, the revised timeline is expected to release funding for the aircraft only in the mid-2030s, several years later than initially planned.

The postponements have drawn criticism from figures across the political spectrum. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chair of the Commons defence committee, highlighted the uncertainty’s impact on the defence industry, noting the need for clarity on future plans. Similarly, James Cartlidge, Conservative shadow defence secretary, urged against further delays, stating that Britain “cannot afford more delay.”

Senior military leaders who contributed to the Strategic Defence Review have also called on Sir Keir to expedite the plan’s release, warning that prolonged indecision risks weakening the UK’s defence posture amid concerns over potential threats from Russia. The government now faces growing pressure to resolve funding disputes and deliver a definitive investment strategy.