Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has revealed plans for the UK to ramp up defence spending to 2.5% by 2030.
During a visit to Poland, the Prime Minister unveiled a strategy to steadily elevate defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade, reaching £87 billion annually by 2030.
Describing it as the "biggest strengthening of our national defence in a generation," Sunak emphasized the necessity to confront the escalating challenges in an increasingly perilous world.
The initiative entails an additional £75 billion allocated over six years, solidifying the UK's position as the second-largest defence spender in NATO, following the US. This extra funding aims to galvanize the UK's defence industry, foster technological advancements, and provide support to Ukraine amidst tensions with Russia.
Addressing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Poland, Sunak asserted that Europe stands at a pivotal moment in its security landscape, urging allies to bolster their commitments.
Citing the collaboration of autocratic states like Russia, Iran, and China in undermining democracies and amplifying global instability, Sunak stressed the imperative for proactive measures to safeguard the UK's interests and values.
The plan outlines three key areas of focus:
-Revitalizing the UK's defence industrial base by injecting an additional £10 billion over the next decade into munitions production, generating employment opportunities and fortifying production capacity for next-generation munitions.
-Modernizing the Armed Forces by instituting comprehensive reforms in defence procurement and establishing a Defence Innovation Agency to propel the UK to the forefront of warfare technology, with at least 5% of the defence budget dedicated to research and development.
-Supporting Ukraine's defence efforts by committing an extra £500 million this year for essential equipment and maintaining unwavering assistance for Ukraine's security needs.
Sunak emphasized the strategic significance of this move, asserting that it marks a generational investment in British security and prosperity, reinforcing the nation's resilience domestically and internationally.
The fully-funded plan aims to effectuate the most significant transformation in national defence since the Cold War, transitioning from a vague aspiration to concrete commitment by 2030.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps echoed Sunak's sentiments, underlining the urgent need to confront emerging threats and invest in defence to preserve the nation's values and prosperity.
The announcement underscores the UK's unwavering commitment to peace and security in Europe and sets a precedent for other NATO members to follow suit, bolstering collective security across the alliance. Photo by SGT Brian Gavin, Wikimedia commons.