UK unveils £3 billion defense boost to counter Russian threat
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Britain announces £3 billion in military spending, new arms factories, and long-range weapons to prepare for future conflict with Russia and secure NATO ties.
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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference at Downing Street, London, April 11, 2025. (AP)
The United Kingdom has announced a sweeping £3 billion military investment aimed at revitalizing its defense industry and preparing the country for potential conflict with Russia.
Defense Secretary John Healey said the strategy, which includes building six new munitions factories and deploying long-range weapons, is part of Britain’s commitment to modernize its military capacity and deter external threats.
“This is part of our readiness to fight if required,” Healey said during the announcement.
“We are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer complimented the urgency in a column for The Sun, stressing that the UK must be ready “to fight and win.”
The defense overhaul will be formally detailed in a 130-page strategic review set to be published Monday. The government will spend £1.5 billion on improving military housing and another £1.5 billion on new “munitions and energetics factories,” which are expected to create 1,800 jobs nationwide.
The plan also includes the procurement of 7,000 domestically produced long-range weapons and renewed naval shipbuilding initiatives.
The strategy also reportedly involves discussions to acquire American fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, alongside proposals to develop advanced anti-missile defense systems.
Russia seen as immediate and growing threat
The British defense strategy is being framed as a direct response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and mounting fears of future aggression from Moscow.
The review, prepared by a team led by former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, describes Russia as an “immediate and pressing” threat. While China is acknowledged as a “sophisticated and persistent challenge,” the UK’s focus remains heavily centered on countering Russia’s military posture.
This comes amid rising calls across Europe for increased defense readiness.
The EU recently announced plans to unlock €800 billion in military spending, while NATO allies are considering raising their defense targets to 5% of GDP ahead of the alliance’s annual summit later this month.
NATO pressures allies to raise military budgets
Amid concerns from US President Donald Trump over NATO burden-sharing, Healey pledged that the UK will boost its defense spending to 3% of its GDP by 2034.
This target could add over £10 billion in annual military spending, reinforcing Britain’s standing within the alliance.
National security is central to our Plan for Change.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 1, 2025
We will:
• Deliver the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.
• Invest in better housing for military families.
• Create more skilled jobs in new weapons factories.
This is just the start.
Other proposals in the review include the creation of an underwater surveillance program to protect undersea infrastructure and the reintroduction of a volunteer Home Guard unit to defend critical sites like airports from drone and cyber threats.
