Britain raises its defense budget to £300 billion over the next four years

Resigning British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that Britain would raise its military budget to approximately 300 billion pounds sterling ($387 billion) over the next four years to modernize its armed forces amid rising risks.

Presenting his ten-year plan to invest in the defense sector, which had been delayed for months, Starmer said, “We must do what is necessary to confront this new world, safeguard our country’s security, and seize the opportunities arising from investing in our sovereign capabilities.”

Meanwhile, Starmer renewed the United Kingdom’s commitment to its European allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), amidst controversy over British defense spending.

The prime minister met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the UK government headquarters on Downing Street on Monday, emphasizing the importance of the UK’s participation in the alliance, which he described as “the most successful military alliance the world has ever known.”

This comes ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on July 7, where members are expected to have prepared plans to increase core defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.

John Healey, who resigned earlier this month from his post as defense secretary, noted in his resignation speech that the UK was on track to spend only 2.68% of GDP on core defense by 2030, casting doubt on the country’s ability to meet NATO’s target.

The British Press Association (PA Media) quoted Healey as saying that the long-awaited defense investment plan, expected to be unveiled this week, would provide only £13.5 billion ($17.9 billion), significantly less than the £28 billion over four years demanded by officials.