The United Kingdom is set to increase its defense spending, aiming to send a message to Moscow and Washington. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, get its army ready for a war in Europe, and become a “battle-ready, armor-clad nation.” The government will invest 15 billion pounds ($20.3 billion) in Britain’s nuclear arsenal, increase conventional weapons stockpiles, and develop new airborne and land drones.
The move comes after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to a reassessment of defense spending by NATO members. The government has accepted all 62 recommendations from a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson. The plan includes learning lessons from Ukraine and investing in innovation, including establishing a cyber command to counter daily Russia-linked attacks.
However, critics argue that the goal of increasing defense spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027 may not be achievable, given the cash-strapped Treasury’s previous cuts to international aid spending. The opposition Conservative Party has also expressed concerns about the lack of funding for a defense review without a clear budget.
The boost in defense spending is also seen as a message to President Donald Trump, who has questioned the value of NATO and complained that European countries do not pull their weight. Starmer’s government aims to make Britain’s biggest contribution to NATO since its creation and will prioritize a “NATO-first” defense policy.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/03/nx-s1-5422029/britain-defense-starmer-russia-putin-trump