Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Press Association Reporters

Keir Starmer says £15bn defence investment plan will prepare UK for war

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer looks at drones after delivering a speech in Berkshire, following the publication of a long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip). Picture date: Tuesday June 30, 2026. - (PA Wire)

An extra £15 billion investment in defence will mean the UK will be ready to fight Russia if Vladimir Putin launches an attack in 2030, Sir Keir Starmer said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged some other areas of Government spending would be slashed in order to fund defence, with cuts to road and energy projects to pay for the military.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.