RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
Procurement programmes such as New Medium Helicopter, which will replace the army's Pumas among others, are being evaluated under the UK government’s review. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
European NATO countries need to acknowledge that the US government is increasingly focused on the Indo-Pacific region, according to RUSI deputy director general Professor Malcolm Chalmers, who also said the UK needed longer procurement planning.
Speaking at a UK’s Defence Committee spending hearing days after the UK budget and amid an ongoing Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Chalmers said that there was a feeling UK forces were “hollowed” out.
On 30 October the UK government committed to spending an additional £2.9 billion (US$3.8 billion) on defence in the next financial year as part of an effort to reach a target of spending
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
