Cliff Notes
- The UK government plans to establish at least six new weapons factories as part of a £6bn rearmament initiative to bolster its defence capabilities amid rising threats, particularly from Russia.
- Defence Secretary John Healey asserted that these developments are intended as a clear message to President Vladimir Putin, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to enhancing its deterrents.
- Despite the announcement, specific timelines and locations for the new factories remain undisclosed, with Healey indicating a strong belief that defence spending will reach 3% of GDP in the next parliamentary term.
New UK weapons factories to be built ‘very soon’, Defence Secretary John Healey reveals
New weapons factories will be built “very soon” to show Vladimir Putin the UK is “stepping up our deterrents”, the defence secretary has said.
Last night, the government announced at least six new arms plants as part of a £6bn push to rearm at a time of growing threats.
No details on timings or where the factories would be were provided ahead of the publication of the government’s strategic defence review, which the £6bn investment will be part of, on Monday.
But Defence Secretary John Healey told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “We should expect to see new factories opening very soon.
“And we’ve already got strong munitions factories in every part of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“The investment we’re making will boost the jobs in those areas as well.”
Asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin should be “frightened now” or in the future, Mr Healey said: “The message to Putin is we take our defence seriously, we’re stepping up our deterrents.”
The government also announced it would buy up to 7,000 long-range missiles, rockets and drones as part of the £6bn rearmament strategy.
Mr Healey said he has “no doubt” defence spending will hit 3% of GDP in the next parliament.
He defended not trying to get to that in this parliament – by 2029 – and said: “It’s how much [is spent on defence], but also how you spend it.”
The defence secretary said his government is showing a sense of urgency by investing £1bn into cyber warfare capabilities, £1.5bn to improve forces’ housing over the next five years and a £6bn commitment to “rearm” over the next five years.
Senior Conservative Robert Jenrick told Trevor Phillips he welcomed “any extra investment in defence” and the fact Labour had reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence.
However, he said: “We want to see the UK reach 3% within this parliament, we think that 2034 is a long time to wait, given the gravity of the situation.”
He called Mr Healey “a good man” who is “doing what needs to be done in the national interest”.
But he added: “I am sceptical as to whether Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, is going to make good on these promises.
“Since the general election, all I can see are broken promises from Rachel Reeves.”
Sources
New UK weapons factories to be built ‘very soon’, Defence Secretary John Healey reveals – This is the Coast
John Healey confident UK will hit 3% GDP goal for defence spending – Yahoo