UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to escalate security spending to 5% of the country's economic output by 2035. This announcement comes against the backdrop of rising global security threats and a NATO summit in The Hague.
Plans for Increased Security Spending
Starmer expressed that the UK aims to reach NATO's new defense spending target. Instead of the current 2% of GDP, the country plans to increase this figure to 5% by 2035. This increase aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's longstanding calls for European nations to take on greater security responsibilities. The initiative also proposes that the UK will reach 2.6% defense spending by 2027.
Broader Definition of Security
As part of the new framework, the UK intends to broaden its definition of security spending to include border protection, critical infrastructure, and supply chain resilience. Starmer's office stated that incorporating these additional categories would allow the UK to reach 4.1% of GDP in security spending by 2027. At the same time, the government has no plans to increase core defense spending beyond 2027.
NATO Allies Respond to New Targets
The ongoing war in Ukraine has intensified calls across Europe to bolster defense budgets. Starmer successfully secured a commitment from NATO to extend the deadline for achieving new targets to 2035. Most NATO allies are expected to accept these new targets, although Spain achieved an exemption, arguing for a rate of 2.1% of GDP. Germany announced plans to raise its defense expenditure to 3.5% over the next five years.
The UK’s announced plans to increase security spending highlight the importance of adapting to changing international security conditions and the country's pursuit of greater strategic independence.
