The UK is set to “outline a strategy” for increasing defence expenditures to 2.5% of its national income in the spring, as stated by the prime minister, marking the first indication of a timeline for a long-anticipated increase following escalating criticism.
Sir Keir Starmer revealed this timeframe during a conversation with NATO’s secretary general Mark Rutte after threats from Moscow to strike UK and US military installations, prompted by London and Washington’s decision to allow Ukraine launch their missiles into Russia.
However, the specifics regarding when the 2.5% target will be met remain unclear. Currently, the UK claims its defence spending is approximately 2.3% of its GDP.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sir Keir Starmer, and NATO chief Mark Rutte in October. Pic: PA
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A representative from Downing Street indicated that the two leaders “initiated discussion regarding the situation in Ukraine and stressed the need to position the nation as robustly as possible entering the winter months.”
They also deliberated on the dispatch of thousands of North Korean troops to support Russia.
“The prime minister emphasized the imperative for all NATO nations to enhance their support for our collective security and provided updates on the government’s advancements concerning the strategic defence review,” stated the spokesperson.
“His administration will delineate the path to achieve 2.5% in the spring.”
The strategic defence review is set to be announced in the same spring period.
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While the announcement regarding the 2.5% target is likely to be received positively by the Ministry of Defence, analysts have long cautioned that this increment is still significantly below what is required to restore the military forces after decades of reduction to address escalating global threats from Russia, a more assertive China, North Korea, and Iran.
Experts assert that the UK ought to aim for at least 3%—likely even more.
With Donald Trump likely returning to the White House, there will be considerable additional pressure on the UK and other European NATO allies to expedite increases in defence budgets.
