British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce plans to increase the country’s defense spending to 2.5% of GDP in spring 2025, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who won the US election, reports the Telegraph newspaper citing government sources. , the Labor Party and the military-industrial complex.
“Government sources, senior Labor Party figures and defense industry sources told the Telegraph they expect the plan to reach 2.5% and be unveiled in spring 2025, just weeks after Trump enters the White House. in January.” – write the post.
According to the newspaper, it will be a “gesture of peace” that should contribute to the creation of good relations between the American president and the Labor Party. The approximate date to announce cost increases is March-April 2025.
According to the publication, UK defense spending currently amounts to around 2.2% of GDP.
Telegraph recalls that previously the former Minister of Defense Ben Wallace He called for Starmer to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2028 and then 3% by 2030.
Trump has previously expressed dissatisfaction with the alliance’s work and threatened US withdrawal from NATO if European partners do not invest more in their own security.
Head of the British Foreign Office David Cameron In an interview with the Daily Mail on April 5, he stated that increasing defense spending by NATO countries would protect the alliance from the risks associated with Trump’s possible election. The minister recalled the record increase in UK military spending as part of the 2020-2025 defense budget of £24bn since the Cold War. At the same time, he added that the government recognizes the need to spend more on defense. The head of the diplomatic department also refused to indicate the date when the country’s defense spending will reach the level of 2.5% of GDP.
