UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to increase Britain’s defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030 in response to increasing global threats, particularly from Russia.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Poland, Sunak emphasized the imperative of remaining vigilant in the face of heightened dangers.
This commitment entails a significant rise from the current 2.3 percent, positioning the UK among NATO’s leading defense spenders, second only to the United States.
The planned increase is projected to result in a £87 billion expenditure by 2030-31, marking a substantial £23 billion uptick from present levels.
Sunak stressed the necessity of fortifying national defense, characterizing it as the most substantial reinforcement in a generation.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure on Western nations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions in the Middle East.
In addition to the defense funding boost, Sunak announced an extra £500 million to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
This move aligns with broader calls within the Conservative Party to bolster defense spending, with some advocating for a higher target of three percent of GDP.
Meanwhile, the European Union is gearing up to propose additional measures to enhance defense and security by the EU leaders’ summit in June.
Sunak’s announcement also reflects increasing calls for NATO countries to ramp up defense spending to address evolving geopolitical challenges effectively.
