Starmer vows to make Britain ‘battle-ready’ — but row over funding threatens to derail plans
Starmer promises to make Britain ‘a battle-ready, armour-clad nation’
- The UK's strategic defence review (SDR) warns of the 'pressing and immediate' threat from Russia, suggesting the need for quicker action to bolster defence capabilities.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the SDR, promising to make Britain a 'battle-ready, armour-clad nation' with an army of 100,000, new submarines, drones, and AI integration.
- Defence Secretary John Healey stressed the urgency for Britain’s army to become '10 times more lethal' due to threats from Russia and China, advocating for a 'new era for UK defence'.
- The SDR recommends increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP, but concerns have been raised about funding, with warnings of potential tax hikes to meet the ambitious goals.
- The review, led by Lord George Robertson, includes 62 recommendations and highlights that the armed forces are currently ill-prepared for conflicts with adversaries like Russia or China, citing inadequate resources and personnel.