The UK Ministry of Defence will release a strategic defense review on June 2, focusing on the country’s ability to deter enemies through combat readiness. It will clarify the “direct and urgent” threats posed to the UK by China and Russia. The British government emphasizes that this new strategic plan will see military spending increase to £6 billion over the next four years, creating approximately 1,800 job opportunities to support the British Armed Forces in long-term campaigns.
According to UK Defence Secretary John Healey, the plan includes investing £1.5 billion to construct six new military factories to bolster the defense industry infrastructure. This initiative aims to establish the capability for round-the-clock ammunition production, ensuring that the UK is prepared for a full-scale conflict.
The UK will also allocate at least £1.5 billion for the procurement of up to 7,000 long-range weapons manufactured in the UK, including drones and ballistic missiles. This investment will involve establishing a new missile defense system to revitalize the defense industry and prepare for potential conflicts with Russia.
Due to decades of underinvestment in defense and recent military support to Ukraine, the UK’s military arsenal has been depleted. The size of the British Armed Forces has reduced to its lowest level since the Napoleonic era. To address this, the UK government will additionally invest £1.5 billion to improve the living conditions of military personnel and put an end to the gradual “hollowing out” of the armed forces. It has been reported that the UK military loses up to 300 personnel per month.
Furthermore, the UK government has pledged over £1 billion to establish a “digital target network” to better networkize the UK’s weapon systems, accelerate decision-making, and respond promptly to enemy threats encountered on the battlefield.
Healey emphasizes that the painful lesson of Russian President Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine underscores the importance of industrial strength behind a powerful military. He stated, “We are strengthening the UK’s industrial base to further deter our adversaries and ensure domestic security.” He also noted that this move sends a message to Moscow that “the UK is ready to fight at any time if necessary.”
Ahead of the upcoming annual NATO summit later this month, NATO member countries are discussing raising defense spending commitments to 5% of GDP, in part to address criticism from US President Trump about countries not contributing sufficient funds.
Healey pledged on Saturday, May 31, that by 2034, the UK will allocate 3% of its economic output to defense, potentially resulting in an annual expenditure increase exceeding £10 billion.