02/06/2025 16:17
The Guardian
PM promises to spend billions more on weapons factories, drones and submarines but refuses to set date for spending 3% of GDP on defenceKey points of strategic defence reviewKeir Starmer has promised to make Britain “battle-ready” as he unveiled a defence review designed to counter threats from countries such as Russia, which he warned directly threatened the UK every day.Speaking from the BAE Systems shipyard at Govan, in Glasgow, the prime minister promised to spend billions more on weapons factories, drones and submarines – even if it meant raiding welfare or the aid budget once more to do so.Explore the possibility of the UK reintroducing air-launched nuclear weapons by discussing with the US and Nato the possibility of purchasing F-35A fighters equipped with US B61-12 bombs that could be deployed in the event of a war.Spending £15bn to develop new submarine-launched nuclear warheads – and committing to build 12 nuclear powered Aukus attack submarines in Derby and Barrow, starting in the 2030s.Investing £1bn in air and missile defence, £6bn on munitions during this parliament and opening at least six new weapons factories in the UK as part of a programme to increase military stockpiles, which currently may only last a few days in a crisis.Developing a home guard, modelled on the army reserves, to ensure the protection of airports, communications sites and other parts of the critical national infrastructure in the event of a major crisis. Continue reading...
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