The business of war is booming, but the architects of Britain’s defense are growing impatient. BAE Systems, the titan of the UK military-industrial complex, has posted record sales of £30.6 billion, yet its leadership is publicly reading the riot act to Whitehall.

CEO Charles Woodburn’s call for the immediate publication of the Defense Investment Plan (DIP) is a rare public intervention that highlights a dangerous paralysis at the heart of government. While factories churn out artillery for Ukraine and tempests of steel for the RAF, the long-term strategy—the "how" and "where" of future spending—remains locked in a ministerial red box. Woodburn’s message is clear: we have the money, we have the orders, but we lack the roadmap.

The Ukraine Dividend and the backlog

The financials paint a picture of a world on a war footing. A record order backlog of £83.6 billion signifies that the West is rearming at a pace not seen since the Cold War. BAE is no longer just a company; it is a strategic asset essential to NATO's survival. The 10% jump in sales is driven directly by the "unprecedented pace" of technological evolution forced by the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.

However, the delay in the DIP—already months overdue—is stalling critical capital investment. Industry leaders cannot build new factories for next-generation munitions if the government won't commit to the 10-year demand signal. This hesitation is creating a bottleneck exactly when the UK needs to be accelerating production.

• The Munitions Gap: The delay has real-world consequences. The expansion of the Glascoed munitions factory in Wales, crucial for replenishing stockpiles sent to Kyiv, has faced hurdles due to shifting capacity requirements and funding uncertainties.
• The 3% Question: Prime Minister Starmer’s hint at accelerating defense spending to 3% of GDP is welcomed by the City, but industry insiders dismiss it as rhetoric until the DIP is signed, sealed, and delivered.

A Strategic Crossroads

BAE’s frustration reflects a broader anxiety in the defense sector. The "Global Britain" ambition requires hard power to back it up, but the machinery of government seems jammed. With Russia expanding its military capabilities and the US looking inward, the UK cannot afford to dither.

Woodburn’s ultimatum serves as a wake-up call. The defense industry is ready to "crack on," but they are currently marching without orders. In a world of hypersonic threats, bureaucratic lethargy is a vulnerability the UK cannot afford.