UK joins European defense buildup as Russian threat grows

By AFP and Global Watch | 2025-06-03

The United Kingdom is the latest European power to escalate its defense posture in response to mounting concerns over Russian aggression, following similar moves by Germany and other continental powers.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged on June 1 to "restore Britain's war-fighting readiness" and reaffirmed his commitment to increase defense spending as part of a sweeping Strategic Defense Review released on June 2.

"We will restore Britain's war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces," Starmer wrote in The Sun, vowing to boost weapon production and modernize military capabilities to meet today's evolving threats.

Defense Secretary John Healey reinforced the urgency, citing "growing Russian aggression," including daily cyberattacks on the United Kingdom's defense systems.

"We're in a world that is changing now... and it is a world of growing threats," Healey told the BBC. He highlighted not only Russia's actions but also new nuclear risks and rising tensions globally.

The UK's strategic review recommends an "always on" domestic munition production capacity and outlines plans to ramp up munition stockpiles and increase investment in long-range strike systems and cyber warfare capabilities.

Bolstering attack-submarine capability

Already, London has earmarked £6 billion ($8.1 billion) for new weapons and munitions, with another £1 billion ($1.4 billion) for launching a national "cyber command." The plan is expected to create and support 1,800 jobs in the defense sector.

The government said it would build up to 12 new attack submarines as part of its AUKUS military alliance with Australia and the United States.

Starmer warned that "the threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War."

"We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber-attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies," he added.

Britain's defense buildup mirrors broader shifts under way in Europe. In May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared his intention to create "the strongest conventional army" in Europe.

"Our friends and partners ... expect this from us. Indeed, they practically demand it," Merz told lawmakers in Berlin. He emphasized that strength was essential for deterrence. "Anyone who seriously believes that Russia would be satisfied with a victory over Ukraine... is mistaken."

Germany has already exceeded NATO's defense spending threshold of 2% of GDP and plans to streamline procurement, expand its military ranks and possibly reintroduce mandatory service if volunteer enlistment falls short.

A Danish intelligence report earlier this year warned that Russia is preparing for potential future conflict with NATO, possibly shifting forces toward the alliance's eastern flank once operations in Ukraine allow.

Starmer's Labor government has pledged to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a goal of reaching 3% by 2029. It plans to cut foreign aid to help fund the buildup.

The upcoming review, led by former NATO secretary general George Robertson, will label Russia an "immediate and pressing" danger, while also focusing on threats from China, Iran and North Korea.

"We are strengthening the UK's industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad," Healey said.

Starmer added that modern defense "means bringing together every capability we have, from drones to artillery to human instinct and intelligence, into one formidable, integrated fighting machine."