Cliff Notes

Sir Keir Starmer plans to enhance the UK’s military capabilities, including buying more attack submarines, but has not committed to new defence spending ahead of the Strategic Defence Review.
Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the ambition to raise the defence budget to 3% of national income by 2034, yet lacks a concrete commitment from the Treasury.
Concerns were raised about the UK’s leadership role within NATO due to insufficient funding amidst rising threats, particularly from Russia.

Strategic Defence Review: UK gears up to combat Russian threat, but questions remain about funding for new spending

Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to buy more attack submarines and put the military on a war footing as part of a major defence review – but without making any new spending promises.

The lack of extra cash meant the prime minister was coming under fire for empty rhetoric even before the blueprint for the future of the armed forces is released on Monday.

Defence Secretary John Healey was forced to clarify that while he has “no doubt” the government will lift the defence budget to 3% of national income by 2034, he does not actually have a solid commitment from the Treasury, and this remains only an “ambition”.