The UK will build nuclear-powered submarines, ramp up cyber defense, and prepare its army to fight a European war, Prime Minister Starmer announced Monday. This massive military shift comes amid rising threats from Russia and growing pressure from Donald Trump-era NATO skepticism.
The move follows a major review of UK defense strategy, commissioned by Starmer and led by former NATO boss George Robertson.
The review laid out 62 urgent recommendations, all of which Starmer has pledged to follow. If Boris Johnson once declared that tank battles in Europe were over, the Ukraine war has rewritten that playbook.
The Big Picture: Submarines, Cyber & Stockpiles
Starmer’s plan includes:
- Building up to 12 nuclear-powered subs under the AUKUS deal with the US and Australia.
- Investing £15 billion in the UK’s nuclear arsenal.
- Creating a new Cyber Command to defend against Russian-linked daily attacks.
- Stockpiling 7,000 UK-made long-range weapons.
The goal? To turn the UK into a “battle-ready, armor-clad nation.” In other words, no more bare-knuckle diplomacy.
Also Read Trade Fears & Ukraine War Trigger Asian Market Plunge, Oil Prices Surge
From Peace Dividend to Defense Dividend
Starmer says this military rebuild will bring a “defense dividend”—thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs. Unlike the 1990s peace dividend, which cut troops and redirected money to public services, this time it’s armor first, budgets later.
There’s just one problem: money. Starmer wants to push defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and possibly 3% by 2034. But with the Treasury already trimming foreign aid to meet targets, it’s not clear how he’ll find the cash.
Even NATO’s new chief, Mark Rutte, says 3.5% may be the real target for deterring Russia. That means the UK still might fall short.
A Message for Moscow—and Mar-a-Lago
Beyond Russia, this is also a loud answer to Trump, who’s long slammed NATO allies for underfunding their own defense. Starmer wants it clear: “We will never fight alone.” But we won’t freeload, either.
The UK is stepping up. It’s not just about tanks and submarines—it’s about showing the West still has backbone. And if that sounds dramatic? It should. Because the Cold War playbook just got a rewrite.
Also Read Zelenskyy Hails ‘Brilliant’ Drone Strike as Ukraine Damages 40 Russian Jets
