London, response
The British prime minister returned from his meeting as he was among those who pressed and succeeded in prolonging the 10 -year increase in the increase in.
The recent publication of the British Defense Strategic Defense Review had highlighted both the challenges facing the country and the steps planned to address them. This strategy aims to prepare the United Kingdom for an increasingly unstable world, with the main aim of moving the British Armed Forces to “war readiness”.
Defense as a growth force
Starmer plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 (from 2.33% in 2024) and double them by 2035.
The British prime minister is facing defense as a driving force for economic growth and innovation and intends to invest billions in ammunition factories, drones and cyber technology.
Its ambitious program is expected to create about 9,000 immediate jobs and thousands more in the supply chain.
However, objections to whether it is realistic to increase spending to 5% (3.5% for defense plus 1.5% for infrastructure). Speaking to “Step”, Dr. Alex Gilder, Associate Professor of International Law and Security at the University of Reading, stressed that “3.5% is a difficult requirement, as the standard of living decreases in the UK. Given the good performance of Reform UK in recent local elections, the government must be careful in the way it will fund such costs. Working families in the UK have been hit hard by a five -year inflation, increasing costs of living and wage stagnation. In this climate, it is difficult for the government to convince voters that the construction of new warships is effective use of public resources. “ Added by Dr. Gilder.
THE PatrickProfessor of International Security and Strategy at the University of Birmingham, stressed in Vima that “The restructuring of the Armed Forces for a new” Iron Age “will require huge capital expenditure”while Dr. Bense NemezAssociate Professor at the Department of Defense Studies at King’s College in London, expressed the concern of “Step” that “The target of 3.5% seems impossible for the time being. Achieving today 2% took more time than expected in many countries. The decision to increase the UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP did not cause significant reactions. There are ongoing discussions as to whether these funds should be directed to health care or social welfare, but they did not dominate public dialogue. The increase in 3.5% may prove to be more difficult. Acceptance by the British public will largely depend on whether they perceive Russia as an immediate danger. “.
The difficulties in the transition
THE David GalbrezProfessor of War and Technology at the University of Bath, he told Vima: “I think the challenge is domestic policy. The Labor Government wishes to maintain a balanced budget. I don’t see how this can be done while at the same time increasing defensive expense to 3.5% of GDP. In fact they have to stop doing many other things – and that is particularly difficult ».
THE DiscomfortProfessor of European Policy and Foreign Affairs at King’s College, agrees. “The government has very little money. It is limited by budgetary rules introduced by the Minister of Finance. Defense is not a priority for the British people in the sense that we are not Poland or Estonia. So there is not the same acute sense of threat. So in fact, increasing taxation to spend more on defense will not be very popular. “.
