UK Plans to Boost Defence Expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2027
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Synopsis
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declares a planned increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, aiming to bolster national security amid global tensions.
Key Takeaways
- UK defence spending to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
- Additional £13.4 billion in annual spending anticipated.
- Potential for 3% of GDP spending in the next parliament.
- Development assistance to be reduced to 0.3% of GDP.
- Focus on collective security with NATO allies.
London, Feb 25 (NationPress) The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, revealed on Tuesday that the nation's defence expenditure will rise to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year 2027.
During a session in the House of Commons, the lower chamber of parliament, prior to his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, Starmer made this surprising declaration.
"We will fulfill our pledge to allocate 2.5% of GDP towards defence, and we will expedite this process to achieve this target by 2027," he stated to the gathered lawmakers. "Furthermore, we will sustain this level throughout the remainder of this parliament."
According to Starmer, this increase represents an additional £13.4 billion (approximately $17 billion USD) in annual defence funding starting in 2027, with the current expenditure standing at roughly 2.3% of GDP.
The Prime Minister also indicated that defence spending could escalate to 3% of GDP in the subsequent parliament, contingent upon economic and fiscal circumstances.
Starmer assured that both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Britain's global allies can rest assured that the UK government will prioritize collective security.
To support this increase in defence funding, Starmer mentioned that the government will reduce development assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP by 2027, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
"This is not a decision I take lightly," Starmer expressed, adding that the UK will continue to uphold a significant humanitarian role in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and others, while also addressing climate change, enhancing global health, and promoting vaccination initiatives.
The UK had intended to outline a "roadmap" for increasing its defence budget to 2.5% of GDP through a strategic defence review planned for spring. However, growing pressures have compelled the government to accelerate this initiative, especially amid fears that Europe may be overlooked in discussions between the United States and Russia regarding the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
On Monday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Trump in Washington, indicated that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could be established in the coming weeks.
