Labour says defence review needs to be rushed – pressure mounts amid fears over Tempest programme

Labour’s defence strategic review is to be accelerated amid calls for industry stability, the Mail has learned.

The sweeping review, which has raised questions about the future of Britain’s £12bn Tempest fighter jet programme, is due to be finalised in early February next year.

The assessment was initially due in the first half of 2025, a timetable that could theoretically have been extended until the summer, which would have been almost a year after it was ordered.

But an industry source told the Mail it will now be finished well before then.

Ministers “want to act quickly,” the source said, amid fears over the uncertainty this is creating.

Sir Keir Starmer last month launched the strategic defence review, which will be led by former defence secretary Lord Robertson.

The Prime Minister said the aim would be to strengthen the British Armed Forces and ensure defence spending is “increased responsibly”.

But Labour has dropped its target of increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, instead saying it was committed to the same goal, but without setting a date.

This has raised questions in the industry about a number of plans, including Tempest, the fighter jet programme involving the UK, Italy and Japan.

One source said submissions from the military and industry would be due by the end of September, evidence would be reviewed in October and November and internal conclusions would be drawn up in December.

The results will be made public in late January or early February.

The industry’s top officials have already been informed of the timetable.

Officials had initially been “wary” of the idea of ​​holding the review until the middle of next year.

However, it is now “very clear that they want to act quickly,” the source added.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of engine maker Rolls-Royce, told reporters at the Farnborough Air Show last month that while carrying out the review made sense, a lengthy timeline would not be helpful.

Starmer and no fewer than four cabinet ministers were also in Farnborough, in a bid to show the Government’s commitment to the sector.

However, the prime minister stopped short of giving any assurances about Tempest’s future, saying it was “important” but that “of course a review was underway”.

BAE Systems, which is leading the programme, has said it is already creating more than 3,500 jobs across the country, and estimates suggest the project will contribute £37bn to the economy.

Other defence projects that could fall by the wayside include a £1bn deal to replace the country’s ageing fleet of Puma helicopters, for which Leonardo, Airbus and Lockheed Martin are currently bidding.

One industry source described it as an “obvious candidate” to be axed.

Another deal that could be in jeopardy is the acquisition of a radio wave weapon to kill drones that is being developed by the French company Thales.