Investments poured into nuclear warheads, submarines and ammunition to combat the “most pressing threat since the Cold War.”
The UK has announced a significant boost to its defence infrastructure to confront a “new era of threats” driven by “increasing Russian aggression.”
The package, released Monday, includes a massive investment in the nuclear warhead program, a fleet of attack submarines and ammunition factories, part of a strategic defence review that Kiel Prime Minister Starmer said would move the country into “combat preparations.”
“The threat we face now is more serious, more immediate and unpredictable at any time since the Cold War,” Starmer gave a review in Glasgow.
“We are wars in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyberattacks, increasing Russian aggression in our waters, threatening the sky,” he added.
“The front line is here.”
The UK’s first defence review since 2021 was led by former NATO executive director George Robertson.
He said that priority will bring “basic changes” to the military, including “preparing for war combat,” the recent “NATO First” defence stance and accelerated innovation.
“Every citizen of this country, every citizen of this country, has a role to play because we have to recognize that things have changed in today’s world,” he said. “The frontline is here if necessary.”
The UK is competing for Reim in the face of what is considered to be an increasing threat from Russia. The US has become an unreliable ally under President Donald Trump, and Trump fears that it will reduce its military presence in Europe as it demands NATO states increase its defense spending.
The Priority Government pledged in February to raise defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027.
The government has said it will cut overseas aid to help fund spending.
New ammunition factory, attack submarines
Based on review recommendations, the government said on Sunday it would increase stockpiling and weapons production capacity that could expand if necessary.
A total of £1.5 billion ($2 billion) will focus on building “at least six ammunition and energy plants” with plans to produce 7,000 long-range weapons. As a result, the total spending on ammunition expenditure in the UK is expected to reach £6 billion ($8.1 billion) for the current parliamentary term ending in 2029.
There are also plans to build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of the Orcus Military Alliance between Australia and the United States.
The Department of Defense also said it would invest £15 billion ($20.3 billion) in the nuclear warhead program. Last week, they pledged £1 billion ($1.3 billion) to create a “cyber command” to support the battlefield.
In this review, Russia described China as an “immediate and imminent” threat, calling it a “solid and lasting challenge.”
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