It said the delay would mean the MoD ended up paying more for essential goods because of price rises caused by the deteriorating international landscape.
The DIP was expected last autumn after the strategic defence review (SDR) was published in June 2025, but was indefinitely delayed, with government infighting over costs.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has said it will be published before the Nato summit that begins on July 7.
Reacting to the findings, Sir Geoffrey said: “The nation has now in fact gone years without a credible plan for UK military capability.
“Our report makes clear that excuses to the effect of ‘taking the time to get the details right’ simply do not cut it.”
He added: “Any government minister attempting to explain away this delay to the DIP should instead ask themselves what message the bureaucratic drift of the past months has given to the public, as well as the UK’s allies and its adversaries, and simply apologise.
“Whatever else the Government hopes to achieve with the DIP, it has certainly gained the unwelcome honour of being the most anticipated document in my entire political career.
“As we still await its publication at time of writing, I know I speak for the defence interests of the whole UK when I say – this had better be good.”
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