UK Defense Spending Plan Raises Budget to £80 Billion
Britain plans to raise defense spending to £80 billion by 2029, boosting armed forces, nuclear deterrence, drones and air defense.
The United Kingdom plans to sharply increase defense spending by 2029, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. According to him, funding will rise from £54 billion to £80 billion.
A government statement said the record investment is aimed at putting the security of British society first, transforming the armed forces and equipping them with the tools needed for combat operations and national defense. It also said every pound invested in the plan would deliver a double return.
Starmer noted that the additional funding will go toward modernizing the national armed forces, strengthening nuclear deterrence, and developing unmanned systems and air defense capabilities. He also said cooperation with Italy and Japan in combat aviation will be one of Britain’s key priorities.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on alliance members to increase spending on the defense industry amid new security challenges in Europe. According to him, expanding defense production will become one of NATO’s main tasks in the medium term.