The UK government has released its current Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and confirms the British Army will begin retiring its 34 Wildcat AH1 reconnaissance helicopters from 2027.

The crewed scout role will be replaced with autonomous drones as part of an investment valued at more than GBP 5 billion for uncrewed systems over four years.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined the wider plan and quantified the decision to Ukraine's drone heavy battlefield, where uncrewed systems have covered reconnaissance at lower cost and risk.

“This plan will make an army that is 10 times more lethal. Flying alongside Apache helicopters will be a new fleet of surveillance drones, collecting intelligence and finding targets,” Said the Prime Minister.

The DIP will also add GBP 15 billion to defence spending over four years, with more than GBP 5 billion of which will be directed specifically at drones and autonomous systems.

The Royal Navy's Wildcat HMA2 maritime variant, which carries a Seaspray radar and Martlet/Sea Venom missiles, will remain in service.

This retirement is one of several decisions that will reshape the Army's rotary fleet, as the plan would require some helicopter projects to be delayed such as a phased retirement of 29 HC6A Chinooks by 2030, as they reach maintenance milestones and newer ones introduced.