UK to hit 4.1% defense spending by 2027, says Starmer

LONDON

The UK expects to spend at least 4.1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense and security in 2027 under NATO’s updated definitions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague, Starmer said allies have agreed to a new defense investment pledge, committing to raise spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

The pledge will be reviewed in 2029, he added.

“The new National Security Strategy sets out our plans and priorities across these areas,” Starmer said, referring to a government review published Tuesday that warned the UK must prepare for a wartime scenario.

“Under the NATO new definitions, we estimate that we will reach at least 4.1% of GDP in 2027,” he said.

Previously, Starmer’s Labour Party committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defense under the traditional definition by 2027.

Starmer said global security threats require a unified response.

“This is the moment to unite, for Europe to make a fundamental shift in its posture, and for NATO to meet this challenge head on,” he said.

He added that NATO’s stance on Ukraine remains unchanged despite the latest NATO statement omitting direct condemnation of Russia.

‘Biggest strengthening of deterrence posture in generation’

Starmer also praised the UK’s plan to purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons, calling it “the biggest strengthening of our deterrence posture in a generation.”

“It marks the return of the Royal Air Force to nuclear deterrence for the first time in three decades,” he said, adding that the program would support more than 20,000 jobs across the UK.

Earlier Wednesday, Defense Secretary John Healey said the F-35A jets will allow the UK to conduct a full range of conventional combat missions, while also providing the capability to participate in NATO’s nuclear mission “in extreme circumstances.”

In a statement, the Royal Air Force said the jets would be available for NATO’s nuclear mission in a crisis, “deepening the UK’s contribution to NATO’s nuclear burden-sharing arrangements and deterring those who would do the UK and our Allies harm.”