We'll be ready for Russia...

£15bn defence uplift » Burnham faces £4.7bn over the next four years hole in long-awaited plan

- BY CHRIS HUGHES Defence Editor, LIZZY BUCHAN Political Editor and SOPHIE HUSKISSON

KEIR Starmer yesterday insisted the UK will be prepared for war with Russia as he unveiled a £15billion increase in military spending over the next four years.

Defence chiefs are racing to arm up with new land, sea and air drones, stealth fighter-bomber jets and surveillance craft, a troop recruitment drive and deep-strike missiles.

But the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan leaves a headache for PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham as the small print revealed £4.7bn will need to be funded in the Budget.

It is understood Mr Burnham was not told about the black hole when briefed on the plan, which experts said could force him to consider tax rises, more borrowing or spending cuts.

Ex-Defence Secretary John Healey said it fell short of what was needed to see off the threat from Russia. He said we will “still be spending just 2.7% of GDP in 2030, the date when Nato has warned we could face a Russian attack”.

Documents confirmed £298bn will now be invested in defence over the next four years to “move the UK towards war-fighting readiness, modernising military capability to fight the wars of the future and drive economic growth”.

The UK nuclear deterrent will get £47bn, including £13bn for warheads. Hundreds of millions of pounds will be pumped into “robot warfare”, forming fleets of drones to support army and air force fighters and warships.

The SAS, SBS and Special Reconnaissance Regiment will get millions for covert missions.