British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to boost the country's defense spending in the coming years. The decision comes ahead of a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington.
Starmer revealed that military spending will rise from 2.3% of Britain's GDP to 2.5% by 2027, with a further increase to 2.6% the following year. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining strong alliances and rejected the notion of choosing between different sides of the Atlantic.
Highlighting the significance of the US-UK relationship, Starmer expressed his desire for it to strengthen further during his upcoming meeting with President Trump. He also outlined an ambitious goal to potentially raise defense spending to 3% in the next parliament, depending on future fiscal conditions.
Trump has been vocal in urging NATO countries to increase their defense spending, setting a target of 5%. In response, Starmer's government aims to implement the largest sustained rise in defense spending since the end of the Cold War.
To fund this increase, Starmer announced a reduction in international development spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of Britain's GDP in the coming years. While acknowledging the necessity of making tough decisions, he emphasized the importance of courage in facing the challenges of the current era.
Overall, the move signals a significant shift in Britain's defense strategy and underscores the country's commitment to bolstering its military capabilities in alignment with evolving global security dynamics.
