Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 5, The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a £9 billion ($11.82 billion) investment plan over the next decade to upgrade and modernise more than 40,000 military homes across the country. The initiative marks the most extensive overhaul of military housing in over half a century and forms part of the new Defence Housing Strategy.

Under the plan, approximately 14,000 military houses will receive substantial refurbishment or replacements.

Under the plan, around 14,000 military houses will undergo major refurbishment or full replacement, while thousands of additional homes will receive new kitchens, bathrooms, and heating systems. The programme aims to significantly improve the living standards of armed forces personnel and their families.

The government stated that this investment will be funded through increased defence spending, building upon previous allocations in the current parliamentary term. The move comes after years of feedback from service families expressing the need for better living conditions. The initiative was informed by an independent review chaired by Natalie Elphicke Ross OBE, which gathered responses from more than 6,000 service families.

In addition to the housing upgrades, the government plans to release surplus defence land to support the construction of over 100,000 new homes for both military and civilian use. Revenue from these land sales will be channelled into a newly proposed Defence Development Fund, which will finance further infrastructure and housing projects. The MoD said this measure is intended not only to improve military accommodation but also to stimulate economic growth and create jobs across the UK.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented: “Our armed forces families make extraordinary sacrifices for our country, and they deserve homes that truly feel like home. This record investment will deliver modern, safe and comfortable housing for tens of thousands of service families. This is a plan for generational renewal that puts forces first, giving those who serve, and those who support them, the security and respect they deserve.”

Earlier this year, the government reacquired 36,000 properties from Annington Homes, a move that reportedly saves taxpayers £600,000 per day. Officials confirmed that the savings from this acquisition will be reinvested into improving military housing and developing residential projects on defence-owned land.

The new Defence Housing Strategy also gives priority to veterans with housing needs, aligning with commitments outlined in the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures fair treatment and support for members of the armed forces community.

UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey said: “Our new Defence Housing Strategy will be the biggest renewal of armed forces housing in more than 50 years. This is a new chapter: a decisive break from decades of underinvestment, with a building programme to back Britain’s military families and drive economic growth across the country.”

The initiative underscores the government’s long-term commitment to modernising defence infrastructure, improving quality of life for service families, and contributing to national economic development through large-scale construction and employment opportunities.