With rising global tensions and shifting alliances, the UK government is now putting defence firmly in the spotlight.
Keir Starmer has launched a major plan to make Britain ready for any future conflicts, but when it comes to committing a fixed timeline for defence spending, he’s keeping things deliberately vague.
Starmer’s Strategic Defence Review Unveiled
This week, the Prime Minister revealed a wide-ranging strategic review aimed at strengthening the UK’s military capabilities.
The plan promises new investments in submarines, weapons factories, and more troops — all meant to prepare Britain for a potentially tougher security environment ahead.
Starmer pointed to threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea as reasons why the country can’t afford to be complacent.
The 3 Percent Defence Spending Goal Remains Uncertain
A key part of this blueprint is a target to boost defence spending to 3 percent of the UK’s GDP over the next decade.
However, Starmer stopped short of committing to a precise date for hitting that number.
On BBC Radio 4, he said he won’t “pluck dates from the air” until he’s certain it’s financially viable, stressing he takes national security seriously but must respect Labour’s fiscal rules.
Mixed Messages from Defence Officials
Defence Secretary John Healey initially said the 3 percent spending rise “will” happen but later softened his stance, calling it an “ambition” rather than a guarantee.
This has stirred concerns as the Treasury wrestles with a slowing economy and worries about balancing the books.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Luke Pollard described the strategic defence review as the “biggest transformation of our armed forces in 100 years,” highlighting plans to learn lessons from the war in Ukraine and invest in people and technology.
Major Investments Planned for the Armed Forces
Among the review’s headline projects are building up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines, expanding munitions factories with a £1.5 billion boost, and even allowing British fighter jets to carry nuclear weapons for the first time.
There’s also a plan to increase armed forces personnel — though that won’t happen until after the next general election.
Expert Voices Back Increased Defence Spending
In a joint article in The Telegraph, former Labour minister Lord Robertson, Russian analyst Fiona Hill, and General Sir Richard Barrons praised the government’s decision to raise defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027-28, and eventually 3 percent.
They described it as “vital” for the success of Britain’s defence strategy over the coming decade.
The NATO Context and International Pressure
The UK’s review also comes ahead of a NATO summit later this month, where members are expected to face pressure to boost spending even further — to 3.5 percent by 2032.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has pushed for an even higher target of 5 percent across the alliance.
Opposition and Conservative Criticism
The Conservative Party has jumped on the perceived confusion within Labour over defence commitments.
Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge accused Healey of backtracking and weakening UK security, calling the promises about submarines a “fantasy fleet” without real financial backing.
Cartlidge argued that the Treasury’s intervention forced Labour into a humiliating climbdown on its defence spending promises.
What’s Next for Britain’s Defence Future?
While the strategic defence review sets out ambitious plans for Britain’s military transformation, much depends on economic conditions and political will in future Parliaments.
The journey toward 3 percent of GDP defence spending is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: Starmer’s government is signalling that security and defence will be front and centre in its agenda.