British Army to increase lethality over the next decade while Royal Navy steps up innovation in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
In a sweeping transformation of its armed forces, the UK government has announced a significant ramp-up in military innovation, with the British Army and Royal Navy set to spearhead a technological revolution aimed at increasing battlefield effectiveness and strengthening NATO’s collective deterrence capabilities. Following the Strategic Defence Review, Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled the government’s long-term plan to modernise Britain’s military power, outlining an ambitious programme of investments in emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and laser weaponry. Speaking at the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Thursday, Healey described the shift as “the biggest transformation of the Armed Forces in memory.”
The new initiative commits the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to spending at least 10% of its overall budget on drones and novel technologies—fulfilling a pledge made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to deliver the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Central to this shift is a £5 billion investment in advanced military technology under the government’s broader “Plan for Change,” aimed at modernising military capability while supporting thousands of skilled jobs across the UK.
Army to Boost Lethality Tenfold
The British Army’s transformation over the next decade is particularly striking. It aims to deliver a tenfold increase in lethality through the integration of cutting-edge firepower, advanced surveillance systems, autonomous weapons, and digital battlefield connectivity. According to the MoD, this will allow the Army to “rapidly find and strike enemy targets,” significantly enhancing its responsiveness, precision, and overall operational effectiveness.
One key component of this strategy is the prioritisation of the Digital Targeting Web, a system designed to radically speed up the detection and targeting process by harnessing data, connectivity, and AI. It is already being tested through initiatives like ASGARD, which has been deployed with British troops in NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF) in Estonia.
To accelerate the integration of new systems into ASGARD, the MoD launched a procurement process last week, inviting UK defence companies to submit digital solutions and uncrewed capabilities. These innovations will contribute to advanced decision-making tools designed for battlefield use.
“Our plan will invest in technology to give our troops the edge in the battlefields of the future; transforming our Armed Forces and boosting our warfighting readiness,” said Defence Secretary Healey. “This will increase our lethality, provide a powerful deterrent to our adversaries, and put the UK at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.”
Royal Navy Embraces a Hybrid Future
In parallel, the Royal Navy will transition towards a “hybrid fleet,” integrating autonomous systems alongside conventional warships to defend UK interests, particularly in the North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. This evolution includes the development of ‘hybrid’ carrier airwings—a first in Europe—where F-35B fighter jets will operate alongside drones and autonomous collaborative platforms.
The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will play a pivotal role in this modernisation. HMS Prince of Wales, currently leading a Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific, is already carrying uncrewed air systems, foreshadowing a more permanent shift in how carrier-based operations are conducted.
The Royal Navy’s transformation is expected to improve force projection, agility, and endurance, especially in contested environments, while reducing risk to personnel.
Strengthening NATO Partnerships
As part of its reinforced commitment to NATO, the UK will take on a greater leadership role within the alliance. Healey confirmed that British military liaison officers will join the development of NATO’s Forward Land Forces in Finland, working closely with Sweden as the framework nation. This move enhances NATO’s eastern flank, viewed as a crucial line of deterrence against Russian aggression.
Additionally, Healey is expected to co-sign an agreement with defence ministers from Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Poland to join the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) project. Led by the UK, NFTE will establish a network of training hubs across Europe to prepare pilots for a variety of platforms including jets, helicopters, and transport aircraft—streamlining NATO’s collective air capabilities.
Learning From Ukraine
The overall defence strategy draws lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine, where rapid adaptation, digital coordination, and drone warfare have redefined modern conflict. The UK’s revised approach aims to ensure its armed forces remain capable and credible in such high-intensity theatres.
While the return to great power competition has placed pressure on NATO members to modernise, the UK’s vision goes beyond rearmament—it aspires to lead on the development and deployment of future-facing defence systems. The government’s emphasis on working “at wartime pace” with British industry is intended to bring new capabilities into operational service faster than traditional procurement cycles allow.
With increasing geopolitical tensions, from Eastern Europe to the South China Sea, the UK’s recalibrated defence posture reflects both a practical response to emerging threats and a strategic bet on innovation.
