Robert Besser
05 Jun 2025, 11:52 GMT+10
LONDON, UK: As global tensions rise and Europe's defense posture shifts, the UK is ramping up its military readiness with a 1.5 billion pound plan to build new weapons and explosives factories.
The announcement comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to unveil a sweeping review of Britain's military capabilities. This review is part of a broader push to strengthen the nation's defense in response to what he called "direct threats" from adversarial states.
"We are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, so we must be ready to fight and win," Starmer wrote in The Sun on June 1, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its ties with Iran and North Korea.
Defence Minister John Healey framed the new munitions investment as both a signal to Moscow and an economic stimulus. Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, he described the move as "a message to Moscow" and highlighted its potential to energize the UK's defense sector.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the plan includes the construction of at least six new factories to produce long-range weapons, with the goal of acquiring up to 7,000 British-built munitions. The new funding will raise total UK munitions spending to £6 billion during the current parliamentary term.
The Strategic Defence Review, commissioned by Starmer's Labour government after it took office last July, will outline national security threats and set priorities for new equipment and services. The review is expected to respond to warnings from allies—particularly the U.S.—that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its security.
Starmer has pledged to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, with a longer-term goal of reaching three percent.
In addition to conventional arms, the government has previously committed 1 billion pounds toward artificial intelligence development for military use, aiming to improve battlefield decision-making. Another 1.5 billion pounds has been allocated to improve substandard housing for members of the armed forces.
The Sunday Times reported that Britain is also eyeing the purchase of U.S.-made fighter jets capable of deploying tactical nuclear weapons, though the MoD has not confirmed the report.
Get a daily dose of Birmingham News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Birmingham News.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Spain's push to curb short-term tourist rentals is being outpaced by the market's explosive growth, new data shows —...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks were mixed Wednesday as investors and traders grappled with the ADP report, which revealed payrolls...
DEARBORN, Michigan: Ford is pulling back tens of thousands of its electric pickup trucks over a steering defect that could lead to...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Best Buy, the biggest electronics store chain in the U.S., has lowered its forecast for the year. The company...
ISSAQUAH, Washington: Costco is feeling the pinch from tariffs and soft consumer spending, missing Wall Street's revenue expectations...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks closed higher on Tuesday as the markets continues to ebb and flow on prouncements and moves by the...
LONDON, UK: As global tensions rise and Europe's defense posture shifts, the UK is ramping up its military readiness with a 1.5 billion...
New Delhi [India] June 5 (ANI): The West Indies will likely be without the services of star all-rounder Hayley Matthews in the third...
Low birth rates among indigenous Brits and mass migration are driving the trend, an analysis shows ...
Low birth rates among indigenous Brits and mass migration are driving the trend, an analysis shows White Britons will become a minority...
Brussels [Belgium], June 5 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad interacted with Brussels-based think tanks...
Brussels [Belgium], June 5 (ANI): BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation as part of India's...