UK set to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP In response to Trump’s victory

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to unveil plans to increase the UK's defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

This move, expected to be announced in the spring, aims to strengthen ties with US President-elect Donald Trump shortly after he takes office, Caliber.Az reports citing UK media.

The publication explains that this long-awaited decision to boost UK military spending would be seen as an olive branch to Trump, who has consistently criticized European allies for relying on US defence spending to protect them and has called for greater contributions from NATO members.

British Defence Secretary John Healey also journalists that the UK government will always do what is necessary to protect the country, adding that a decision to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP is imminent.

The prime minister’s office has reportedly instructed officials to prepare recommendations on how Trump’s presidency might impact the UK economy, as well as conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

However, the report also notes that Labour's past criticism of Trump could complicate efforts to forge strong personal ties with the new president.

Though no exact date has been set for reaching 2.5%, former British defence minister Ben Wallace has urged Starmer to ensure this target is met by 2028, with a goal to increase it further to 3% by 2030. Wallace emphasized that 3% would be necessary to maintain the UK's leadership and modernize its armed forces, with 2.5% serving as the starting point.

The UK currently spends around 2.2% of GDP on defence, exceeding NATO’s 2% target. Raising it to 2.5% would move the UK from its current eighth place in NATO’s spending rankings to fourth place.

By Tamilla Hasanova