Prime Minister has underlined the UK's cast
iron commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence to respond to
growing threats, ahead of a NATO summit where he will say a step
up in defence spending can safeguard the future of the Alliance.
At the summit in Washington DC, the PM will emphasise his
determination to face down global threats to Britain and its
western allies. He will praise NATO members' efforts to increase
defence spending and say that further increases in spending will
help the alliance tackle the nature of today's threats.
The Prime Minister has also confirmed today that he will launch
the Government's Strategic Defence Review next week, with
detailed preparatory work already undertaken by Defence Secretary
- who will oversee the review.
The review will determine the future defence posture of the UK,
the capabilities needed and will set out a roadmap to achieving
2.5% of GDP on defence. He will confirm that the review will put
a ‘NATO-first' policy at the heart of Britain's defence plans.
Prime Minister said:
“There is no more important duty for me as Prime Minister than
keeping the people of our country safe.
“At a time when we face multiple threats at home and abroad, we
must make sure we are ready to defend ourselves. That's why I
have immediately ordered a root-and-branch review that will
secure Britain's defences for the future.
“Working with our most important partners around the world, our
Strategic Defence Review will make sure the UK is sending a clear
message to those who seek to undermine peace and democracy – you
will not succeed.”
Defence Secretary said:
“Britain's commitment to NATO is unshakeable. We cannot have
prosperity without security and we must never take our ability to
live freely for granted.
“The world is increasingly volatile with rapidly changing global
threats. In the footsteps of Bevin, our government will help
ensure we have a strong NATO in this increasingly insecure
world.
“Our government's first duty is to keep the country safe. That's
why we will increase defence spending and launch a Strategic
Defence Review to ensure we have the capabilities needed to
protect the UK now and in the future. The Review will also set
out defence reforms to secure faster procurement and better value
for money.”
Foreign Secretary, , said:
“NATO is part of Britain's DNA. 75 years ago, Ernest Bevin helped
to establish NATO. Today, as then, our commitment to NATO is
completely unshakeable.”
“We cannot have stability and prosperity without national
security. That's why NATO is the ultimate guarantor of our
ability to live freely and build a more prosperous future, for
the people of this country and our Allies.”
“Ukraine's security is our security, so our priority for
Washington must be to show that NATO support for Ukraine remains
iron-clad, and our support will be sustained. Putin thinks he can
outwait the West, but he is mistaken.”
Building on our existing global defence partnerships such as
AUKUS and GCAP, the Prime Minister is determined to make sure the
UK is one of the leading defence players on the world stage, and
alongside our like-minded partners prove that progressive,
peaceful democracies will ultimately triumph over tyranny.
The Strategic Defence Review will consider the nature of the
threats we face – including Putin's ongoing brutal invasion of
Ukraine, continued instability in the Middle East and the rise of
authoritarian countries - and the capabilities we need to tackle
them.
That includes the shape of our Armed Forces and their readiness
to fight, enhancing our defence partnerships, developing a new
defence industrial strategy, ensuring our defence staff have the
capabilities and skills needed, and delivering procurement
reform.
The Review will be conducted in consultation with allies,
industry and external experts and its recommendations will be
reported to the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary, as well as
being laid before parliament.
A major element of the Strategic Defence Review will be an
emphasis on deepening our defence ties with NATO countries and
other international partners.
Over the next two days, the Prime Minister will meet our most
important allies for the first time on the international stage,
to drive forward progress on defence and other priorities –
including supporting Ukraine against Russia's ongoing illegal
war, which has now entered its third year.
