The Defense Investment Plan has been delayed due to concerns over funding (Image: Getty)
Senior British figures at NATO have delivered a stark warning to ministers as the government continues to “dither” over defense spending. It comes amid fears that hesitation over funding and delays to rearmament could erode the UK's standing within the alliance.
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has been told that without clarity on future spending commitments, Britain risks slipping down NATO rankings — both in terms of defense expenditure as a share of GDP and in meeting the capability targets agreed by member states. The concerns are understood to have been conveyed by Angus Lapsley, the UK's permanent representative to NATO; Nick Catsaras, a NATO assistant secretary-general; and Admiral Sir Keith Blount, the Royal Navy officer serving as NATO's outgoing Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
There is concern that continued delays could see the UK fall victim to an outburst of frustration from US President Donald Trump, who has consistently called out nations of the alliance deemed not to be pulling their weight.
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There are fears Trump could lash out over delays in defense spending increases (Image: Getty)
In the event of an admonition from the White House, sources believe that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte would follow suit, according to The Times.
Last June, ahead of a NATO summit, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, set out plans to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by April next year, with a longer-term aim of reaching 3% before the end of the next Parliament.
Just weeks later in The Hague, Sir Keir joined leaders from 30 other NATO nations in backing a more ambitious goal — committing to meet Donald Trump's call for allies to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defense by 2035.
Sources have told The Daily Express that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is keen to accelerate defense spending but is being stymied by officials in the Treasury.
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The PM has committed to an increase in defense spending this parliament (Image: Getty)
The reports come as the UK continues to “dither” on the release of its Defense Investment Plan (DIP), a multiyear blueprint for how much it plans to spend on defense and when, outlining funding priorities to deliver military capability over the coming decade.
The delay comes amid fears of senior defense figures that the proposals contained within it can only be achieved if a greater level of funding is ensured.
James McCleary, defense spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, has previously accused Labor of “dithering” and “negligence”.
He said: “While ministers drag their feet on the DIP, British SMEs are being pushed to the brink and we are sleepwalking into even deeper dependence on the US for critical kit we should be building — and sustaining — at home.
“Delays are endangering vital sovereign capabilities like helicopter manufacturing in Yeovil which we could lose altogether if this squabbling between government departments continues.”
Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge said: “Labour's DIP is long overdue, having been promised for autumn 2025, and there is one overriding reason why — this is a government that has prioritized welfare over defense of the realm.”