UK Government Allocates £15 Billion to Advance Military Modernization

Reference News Network reported on July 4 According to AFP on June 30, outgoing British Prime Minister Starmer announced on June 30 that in response to escalating security threats, the UK will allocate nearly £300 billion for defense over the next four years.

The report stated that Starmer is expected to step down in July due to losing support from Labour Party MPs. He announced this long-awaited defense investment plan, stating that over the next four years, the UK will increase defense spending by £15 billion, bringing the total defense spending close to £300 billion.

In his speech, Starmer stated: “Last year, in the interest of national security, I decided to reallocate aid spending to defense, achieving the largest increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War. This is the right choice because the world has changed. National security is economic security. Today, we are further increasing defense spending. By reallocating spending across government departments, we have added an additional £15 billion in funding.”

The UK Ministry of Defence previously stated that the plan includes investing over £5 billion in the development of drones and autonomous systems over the next four years.

According to a Reuters report on June 30, Prime Minister Starmer committed on June 30 to spend an additional £15 billion to modernize the UK's under-resourced armed forces. This is a long-delayed investment plan aimed at preparing for future wars and will mark his political legacy.

The report stated that the additional funding for Starmer's defense investment plan did not meet the £28 billion that defense department heads had hoped for. Starmer will take this plan to Ankara to participate in the NATO summit from July 7 to 8, where he hopes to demonstrate that the UK is fulfilling its commitment to reach 3.5% of GDP in defense spending by 2035.

Some critics say that the plan has been delayed for more than nine months, that the additional spending is too small, and that it is too late. A government document released after Starmer's speech showed that nearly one-third of the additional funds do not have a specific source and must be arranged by Starmer's successor in the 2026 budget.

Starmer told the audience in southern England: “The best way to avoid war is to be prepared, and the best way to defend is through deterrence—having enough strength to make your opponent think twice before acting.”

Starmer said his plan will provide £5 billion in funding for investments in drones and autonomous weapons, as well as establishing a mixed navy and enhancing the lethality of the army, which is part of preparing the UK for war.

Starmer said the plan will also strengthen the UK's nuclear deterrent and support the construction of the next generation of stealth fighters for the Royal Air Force.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the UK's move, calling it “a good step towards the goal of achieving 3.5% of defense spending as a percentage of GDP agreed upon last year in The Hague.”

Charles Woodburn, CEO of the UK's largest defense company BAE Systems, said: “The government's commitment to increasing defense spending is crucial for maintaining the specialized skills that involve every aspect of our industrial base, which is vital for national security.”

Under pressure from the US to take more self-defense measures, NATO allies agreed to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035, with 3.5% for core defense needs. The UK aims to allocate 3% of GDP to core defense by 2029.

Starmer said: “By any standard, this is a huge historic shift for our country and a legacy I am proud of.”

The head of the UK defense department stated that there will be a funding gap of £28 billion over the next four years. Critics have pointed out that the additional £15 billion will not fully fill the gap, and some equipment will not be procured or will be delayed, potentially leading to cuts in training, infrastructure maintenance, and logistics funding. Retired Royal Navy Commander Tom Sharp said: “This is another form of cost-cutting; this is not an investment plan, but rather patching things up.” (Translated by Yang Xinpeng, Hu Lin)