"The government is refusing to deny reports that plans to make Britain's armed forces "war ready" will require billions more than it has allocated so far. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) believes it will require an extra 28bn over the next four years to meet its forecast costs, according to The Times and The Sun. The department's investment plan has been delayed, with Sir Keir Starmer reportedly ordering a rewrite of the proposals."
"The review pledged billions in extra spending for extra ammunition, next-generation fast jets, drones, and new attack submarines, as ministers pledged to move the UK to "war-fighting readiness". According to the reports, the projected 28bn shortfall was made by MoD officials in an internal assessment conducted last year. Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, delivered the forecast to Sir Keir, Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the run-up to Christmas at a meeting in Downing Street, it is reported."
The Ministry of Defence projects a 28bn shortfall over the next four years to meet forecast costs for increased military readiness. The departmental investment plan has been delayed and rewritten, postponing completion from autumn to spring. A capabilities review calls for large extra spending on ammunition, next-generation fast jets, drones and new attack submarines to achieve war-fighting readiness. The chief of the defence staff delivered the forecast to senior ministers before Christmas. The prime minister's office acknowledged additional demands, including a possible deployment to Ukraine. The MoD budget is planned to rise 3.6% in real terms by 2029, weighted toward long-term investment.
Read at www.bbc.com
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