UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday reaffirmed his Labour government’s commitment to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, aligning with NATO’s call for increased funding to counter threats from Russia.
In an interview with LBC radio, Starmer was asked whether the UK would be willing to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP, but the leader repeated his government’s position that it would plot a route to spending 2.5%.
“The commitment we’ve made is to set out a path to 2.5%,” he said. Starmer has said his government will set out that path next year.
Last month, Defence Secretary John Healy announced he planned to scrap equipment that was 50 years old, which would include ships, drones and helicopters.
The platforms to be scrapped included two amphibious assault ships (although their replacements could take many years to come), a Type 23 frigate, two tankers, Watchkeeper drones, 14 Chinook helicopters and 17 Puma helicopters.
The Defence Ministry believes the cuts will help deliver the aims of the strategic defence review next year, when there will be a comprehensive review of the state of the armed forces, the threats the UK faces and what capabilities are needed.
Government said the cuts would secure better value for money for the taxpayer and better outcomes for the armed forces. There also seems little doubt that with Donald Trump taking over next month, there could be renewed pressure from Washington to step up to the defence plate.
Last week, NATO head Mark Rutte warned the U.S.-led alliance that it was not ready for the threats it would face from Russia in the coming years and called for a shift to a wartime mindset, with much higher defence spending beyond the 2% target.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has called on NATO members to boost defence spending to 3% of economic output. The alliance estimates 23 of its 32 members will meet its target of dedicating 2% of GDP to defence this year.
(With inputs from Reuters)
