The United Kingdom(UK) has announced a significant increase in its defense spending to address the growing threat posed by Russia, describing it as a “new era of threats” driven by “growing Russian aggression”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the plans as part of a Strategic Defence Review, which aims to shift the country to “war-fighting readiness”.
“The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,” Starmer said, highlighting the changing global landscape. “We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyberattacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies,” he added.
The defense package includes a substantial investment in a nuclear warhead program, a fleet of attack submarines, and munitions factories. Specifically, the government plans to:
- Invest in Nuclear Warheads: Allocate 15 billion pounds ($20.3bn) to its nuclear warhead program
- Build Attack Submarines: Develop up to 12 new attack submarines as part of the AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the US
- Establish Munitions Factories: Dedicate 1.5 billion pounds ($2bn) to building at least six munitions and energetics factories, with plans to produce 7,000 long-range weapons
This increased spending is part of the UK’s commitment to lift defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2027, marking the “largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War”. The government will fund this spending in part by cutting overseas aid.
Starmer emphasized that every part of society has a role to play in addressing the changing global landscape, stating, “The front line, if you like, is here.” The UK’s Defence Review, led by former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, aims to bring “fundamental changes” to the armed forces, including moving to war-fighting readiness and accelerating innovation; so that it does not lag behind and caught unawares by the enemies.