US Wants London to Increase Defense Spending to 3% of GDP by 2029
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington.
The United States wants the United Kingdom to increase its defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2029, thus becoming an example for other European countries, The Times newspaper reported. In February, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. His government commissioned a major Strategic Defense Review, which senior UK officials told British media would commit the country to increasing the spending further to 3-3.5% of GDP. In 2024, the UK spent 2.3% of its GDP on defense. Washington believes that Starmer’s plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 are not enough, the report said on Tuesday. In addition, a source close to the Strategic Defense Review reportedly told the newspaper that British top military officials believe a “lot more” money should be allocated to the country’s defense ministry. US military leaders have also privately expressed the view that the UK army is too small, the report noted.WorldUK Military Felt They ‘Had The Right to Do Whatever They Want in Afghanistan’ 15 May, 11:44 GMT