United Kingdom boosts defense spending

The United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced sweeping changes to its defense policy, including plans to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines, increase conventional weapons stockpiles by 7,000 long-range weapons, and establish a cyber command. This defense boost, the most significant since the Cold War, is a direct response to the perceived threat from Russia, particularly its invasion of Ukraine and ongoing cyberattacks against the United Kingdom. The initiative also aims to address concerns raised by Donald Trump regarding European NATO members' defense spending. The government plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027 and aims for 3% before 2034, though the funding source for the 3% target remains unclear. The strategic defense review, led by George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, outlines 62 recommendations that the United Kingdom government will accept.