UK to Boost Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Starmer Announces/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, citing growing global threats, particularly from Russia. The pledge comes two days before his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, where he aims to secure continued American support for Ukraine and NATO. To fund the increase, the UK will cut foreign aid, sparking criticism from humanitarian groups.
UK Defense Spending Increase Quick Looks
- Defense spending to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a goal of 3% by 2035
- Funding shift includes cutting foreign aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income
- Starmer calls the move “biggest sustained defense increase since the Cold War”
- 13.4 billion pounds ($17 billion) annual defense boost planned
- Humanitarian groups criticize aid cuts as “short-sighted” and “devastating”
- Move comes ahead of Starmer-Trump White House meeting on Ukraine and NATO
- European defense spending rises as Trump questions U.S. role in NATO
UK to Boost Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Starmer Announces
Deep Look
LONDON — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to increase Britain’s defense spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, describing it as a “generational response” to escalating global insecurity, especially with Russia’s continued aggression.
The announcement, made during a speech in the House of Commons, comes two days before Starmer’s scheduled White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, where he is expected to advocate for sustained U.S. support for both Ukraine and the NATO alliance.
“We must stand by Ukraine because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, economic instability and security threats will only grow,” Starmer told lawmakers.
Key Defense Spending Details
- Current UK defense spending: 2.3% of GDP
- New target by 2027: 2.5% of GDP
- Long-term goal by 2035: 3% of GDP
- Cost: Additional £13.4 billion ($17 billion) annually
“This is the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War,” Starmer said, emphasizing the importance of showing strength against *“tyrants like Putin.”
Funding the Increase: Aid Cuts Draw Criticism
- To finance the defense hike, Starmer announced a controversial reduction in foreign aid:
- Foreign aid cut from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income
- Starmer called it a “painful but necessary” decision
Backlash from Humanitarian Groups and Lawmakers
- David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee:“This will have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide.”
- Monica Harding, Liberal Democrat MP:“Slashing aid is a strategic and moral mistake, playing into Russia and China’s hands.”
European Defense Push Amid Trump’s NATO Skepticism
Starmer’s announcement comes as European countries rush to bolster their defenses, spurred by Trump’s skepticism toward NATO and U.S. commitments in Europe.
“Europe must meet this new era with unity and resolve,” Starmer said.
Trump has long criticized NATO members for not meeting spending targets and suggested the U.S. should not be Europe’s “security provider.”
Starmer’s White House Mission: Secure U.S. Commitment
During Thursday’s White House meeting, Starmer aims to:
- Urge continued U.S. military aid to Ukraine
- Discuss joint NATO strategies
- Secure U.S. support for a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine
Starmer has offered to send British troops to Ukraine under a UK-France peace plan but stressed that an American security “backstop” is vital.
Trump, however, remains non-committal, stating Monday: “Europe is going to make sure nothing happens.”
UK’s “Reset” with Europe and America
- Starmer’s center-left government is working on:
- Closer defense cooperation with the European Union post-Brexit
- Stronger UK-U.S. relations despite Trump’s “America First” approach
- Reinforcing transatlantic unity against global authoritarian threats
“We must reject the false choice between our allies on either side of the Atlantic,” Starmer said.
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