In response to escalating threats from Russia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday a shift towards “war-fighting readiness” for the UK military.

During a visit to BAE Systems’ Govan shipbuilding facility in Glasgow, Scotland, Starmer outlined “three fundamental changes” stemming from the country’s strategic defense review.

“First, we are prioritizing war-fighting readiness as the core objective of our armed forces,” Starmer stated. “In the face of direct threats from states with advanced militaries, readiness is the most effective deterrent. We must demonstrate our preparedness to maintain peace through strength.”

Starmer added, “Britain boasts the finest service personnel globally. We are honoring their dedication with the largest armed forces pay raise in 20 years and committing to reverse the decline of our armed forces. We will forge a more integrated, prepared, and formidable fighting force, supported by a robust strategic reserve, fully trained and ready for immediate mobilization.”

This new strategy follows warnings from President urging European nations to enhance their security responsibilities. Starmer’s announcement emphasized a “new era” of threats, citing the conflict in Ukraine, emerging nuclear dangers, and constant cyberattacks, while also aiming to reverse the post-Cold War reduction in defense capabilities. He highlighted “growing Russian aggression” in UK waters and airspace, attributing the increased cost of living, which is “hitting working people the hardest,” to “their reckless actions.”

“The threat we face today is more severe, urgent, and unpredictable than at any point since the Cold War,” Starmer warned.

The UK government unveiled these military plans based on a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary general.

This marks the first such review since 2021. Following Britain’s last major defense review in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson confidently declared the end of “fighting big tank battles on European landmass.” However, three months later, Russian tanks entered Ukraine. Starmer’s Labour Party government intends to implement all 62 recommendations from the review to help the UK address increasing threats across land, air, sea, and cyberspace.

The second key change, according to Starmer, is ensuring that “everything we do strengthens NATO.”

“As we increase our responsibility for collective defense, it signifies a profound commitment: we will never fight alone,” Starmer affirmed. “This is a fundamental source of our strategic strength. Therefore, our defense policy will always prioritize NATO, a principle embedded throughout this review. The transformation of our defense capabilities must result in Britain’s most significant contribution to NATO since its inception, ensuring that our domestic capability development also enhances the safety of our allies, strengthens Europe, and reinforces our vital defense partnership with the US.”

Starmer’s third point focused on the UK’s need to “innovate and accelerate at a wartime pace to address current and future threats, becoming NATO’s fastest innovator.” He clarified that this would not involve “replacing people” or equipment but rather “learning the lessons of Ukraine” and ensuring “every capability we have works seamlessly together.”

“Drones, destroyers, AI, aircraft, and each branch of our armed services will be fully integrated to create an army which is 10 times more lethal by 2035,” Starmer projected.

The UK government announced plans to expand the country’s armed fleet with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS submarines through a partnership with Australia and the United States. It also plans to invest 15 billion pounds in Britain’s nuclear arsenal, consisting of missiles deployed on submarines. Specific details of these plans are likely to remain confidential.

Starmer has already committed to increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, up from the current 2.3%, with the ultimate goal of reaching 3%.

GB News noted during the press conference that Starmer had not committed to achieving the 3% GDP target for defense spending within the next nine years, even as Germany’s defense chief cautioned that Russia could invade a NATO ally within the next four years. In response, Starmer reiterated the UK’s “steadfast” support for Ukraine and asserted that the review’s changes would be the most effective means of deterring further conflict.

The UK government will also increase its conventional weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 domestically produced long-range weapons.

Starmer stated that rearming would generate a “defense dividend” of thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs, contrasting with the post-Cold War “peace dividend” that saw Western nations divert funds from defense to other sectors.

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