Starmer Announces Major Increase in Defense Budget, Britain Aims for 80 Billion Pounds a Year Ahead of NATO Summit in Ankara

Keir Starmer, the outgoing British prime minister, has announced a significant expansion of defense funding, stressing that by 2029 the United Kingdom will raise investment in this sector to 80 billion pounds a year, or approximately 92 billion euros.

He said the scheme aims to put the country on track to meet the commitment for military spending to reach 3.5% of Gross Domestic Product by 2035.

“This plan will make our country safer, driving a generational transformation of our armed forces. The increase in defense spending will put the United Kingdom on course to reach 3% of GDP during the next parliamentary term.,” Starmer said.

A positive reaction also came from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who described the initiative as an important development. “Strengthening defense in the United Kingdom makes us all stronger,” Rutte said. He added that this is a move in the right direction toward achieving the 3.5% of GDP target, approved by allies at last year’s NATO summit in The Hague. At that meeting, member states agreed that by 2035 they would allocate 5% of GDP annually to defense and security, with 3.5% going to military spending and the rest to security-related investments.

This announcement was made just one week after Starmer announced his resignation, following pressure from his party. He clarified that he will remain in office until his successor is chosen.

The favorite to replace him is considered to be Andy Burnham, although it is still unclear whether he will support the same plan to increase defense spending.

Starmer also emphasized that the next government will have the opportunity to build further on this basis. His statement comes just days before the start of the NATO summit, which opens on July 7 in Ankara.