Latest news with #AUKUS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
UK to expand submarine fleet as defence review calls for 'warfighting readiness'
FILE PHOTO: British Defence Secretary John Healey visits the MBDA Storm Shadow factory on May 31, 2025 in Stevenage, England. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS/File photo LONDON - Britain will increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, the government has announced ahead of a defence review expected to say the country must invest billions to be ready and equipped to fight a modern war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other leaders across Europe, is racing to rebuild his country's defence capabilities after U.S. President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. Monday's Strategic Defence Review will call for Britain's armed forces to move to a state of "warfighting readiness", spelling out changing security threats and which defence technologies are needed to counter them. "We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," defence minister John Healey said in a statement. Britain will build up to 12 of its next-generation attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but carry conventional non-nuclear weapons, to replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Britain operates a separate fleet of submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The government for the first time said a pre-existing programme to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the model used by that fleet would cost 15 billion pounds. "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey added. The new submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, U.S. and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. REVERSE DECLINE In light of Trump's decision to upend decades of strategic reliance on the U.S. by Europe, Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain's defence spending in an attempt to reverse a long-term decline in its military capability. He has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and target a 3% level over the longer term. On Sunday he warned Britain must be ready to fight and win a war against states with advanced military forces. In the days running up to the Strategic Defence Review, which Starmer commissioned shortly after taking office last July, the government has announced plans to spend billions on munitions plants, battlefield technology and military housing. Juggling severely strained public finances, a slow-growing economy and declining popularity among an increasingly dissatisfied electorate, Starmer has sought to cast increased spending on defence as a way to create jobs and wealth. "This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country," he is expected to say in a speech launching Monday's review. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
UK to expand submarine fleet as defence review calls for 'warfighting readiness'
FILE PHOTO: British Defence Secretary John Healey visits the MBDA Storm Shadow factory on May 31, 2025 in Stevenage, England. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS/File photo LONDON (Reuters) -Britain will increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, the government has announced ahead of a defence review expected to say the country must invest billions to be ready and equipped to fight a modern war. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like other leaders across Europe, is racing to rebuild his country's defence capabilities after U.S. President Donald Trump told the continent it needed to take more responsibility for its own security. Monday's Strategic Defence Review will call for Britain's armed forces to move to a state of "warfighting readiness", spelling out changing security threats and which defence technologies are needed to counter them. "We know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression," defence minister John Healey said in a statement. Britain will build up to 12 of its next-generation attack submarines, which are nuclear-powered but carry conventional non-nuclear weapons, to replace the current fleet of seven from the late 2030s, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Britain operates a separate fleet of submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The government for the first time said a pre-existing programme to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the model used by that fleet would cost 15 billion pounds. "With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad," Healey added. The new submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, U.S. and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. REVERSE DECLINE In light of Trump's decision to upend decades of strategic reliance on the U.S. by Europe, Starmer has already committed to increasing Britain's defence spending in an attempt to reverse a long-term decline in its military capability. He has promised to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and target a 3% level over the longer term. On Sunday he warned Britain must be ready to fight and win a war against states with advanced military forces. In the days running up to the Strategic Defence Review, which Starmer commissioned shortly after taking office last July, the government has announced plans to spend billions on munitions plants, battlefield technology and military housing. Juggling severely strained public finances, a slow-growing economy and declining popularity among an increasingly dissatisfied electorate, Starmer has sought to cast increased spending on defence as a way to create jobs and wealth. "This plan will ensure Britain is secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering a defence dividend of well-paid jobs up and down the country," he is expected to say in a speech launching Monday's review. (Reporting by William James; Editing by David Holmes)
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK to Build More Attack Submarines in ‘Message to Moscow'
The UK intends to send a 'message to Moscow' with plans to expand its fleet of attack submarines and invest in its nuclear deterrent as part of a new defense strategy to head off the threat posed by Russia. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government will on Monday reveal plans to spend £15 billion ($20 billion) on its warhead program and build up to 12 new submarines as part of the AUKUS program it operates alongside the US and Australia, to bolster Britain's 'warfighting readiness,' the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
What's in Britain's Strategic Defence Review?
LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) - Britain will on Monday publish the results of a 10-month review into the country's defence capabilities, which is expected to set out the growing threats it faces and where ministers must invest to improve national security. Below is what the government has already announced in the days preceding the Strategic Defence Review: ATTACK SUBMARINES - No cost given The government said it would increase the size of its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet to as many as 12, up from the current seven. The new generation of attack submarines will be a model jointly developed by the UK, U.S. and Australia under the security partnership known as AUKUS. NUCLEAR WARHEAD REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME - 15 billion pounds The government has for the first time put a price tag on a pre-existing national programme to develop a new nuclear warhead to replace the current model: 15 billion pounds ($20.2 billion). MUNITIONS FACTORIES - 1.5 billion pounds Britain will build at least six new factories producing weapons and explosives, forming part of an "always-on" approach for the manufacture of priority munitions. BATTLEFIELD AI - more than 1 billion pounds A new "Digital Targeting Web" will help connect weapon systems and harness artificial intelligence to improve identifying and eliminating battlefield targets, the government said. Britain will establish a new unit to lead its defensive cyber operations and help coordinate offensive cyber capabilities. It will also cover advanced signal jamming and other means of disrupting communications. ARMED FORCES HOUSING - 1.5 billion pounds The government has pledged to improve the poor state of housing for the country's armed forces, seeking to help recruitment, retention and morale. ($1 = 0.7430 pounds)
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Starmer moves to ramp up Britain's defences as ministers go to war over costs
A DOZEN new attack submarines are planned as Britain moves to a war footing — but ministers are still battling over cash. The UK's nuclear warhead programme will also be bolstered, with Defence Secretary John Healey yesterday saying the deterrent is 'what Putin fears most'. 5 5 PM Sir Keir Starmer will today point to increasing global tensions as he publishes the long-awaited Strategic Defence Review. It will involve 'moving to war-fighting readiness' by ramping up munitions, buying 7,000 long-range weapons and creating a new cyber command centre. But the blueprint has been embroiled in a Cabinet row over money amid fears Chancellor Rachel Reeves might not fund the promised three per cent of GDP on defence by 2034. The PM will say on a trip to Scotland: 'From the supply lines to the front lines, this Government is four-square behind the men and women upholding our freedom and security.' Up to 12 nuclear-powered subs will be built under the AUKUS security partnership with the US and Australia. They are conventionally-armed with Tomahawk missiles and are mainly used as intelligence gatherers, lurking off hostile coastlines to intercept communications. They can also deploy special forces and drones. Sir Keir will say a separate £15billion nuclear warheads boost will guarantee the UK's continuous at-sea deterrent until 2030 and protect 9,000 jobs. Mr Healey told the BBC yesterday: 'Our nuclear deterrent has been the ultimate guarantee of security in this country. "It's what Putin fears most. 'And we are the only nation in Nato that commits our nuclear deterrent, in full, to the defence of other Nato allies.' The Strategic Defence Review — carried out by ex-Nato Secretary General Lord Robertson — makes 62 recommendations. But a dust-up is brewing after Labour said the three per cent funding promise was a mere 'ambition' if the economy allowed. Mr Healey appeared to try to bounce Ms Reeves into coughing up by saying: 'I have no doubt that we'll hit that ambition during the next Parliament.' 5 Yet he noticeably did not say, when pressed, if he had cast-iron assurances. Tories want the target hit before the next election. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: 'John Healey has been hung out to dry by Rachel Reeves. "As recently as Thursday, Healey promised that defence spending would definitely hit three per cent, but today he's completely backtracked.' Labour also appear to be welching on pledges to reverse the 10,000 cut to troop numbers under the Tories. Mr Healey admitted it would only come in the 'next Parliament'. He added: 'We've still got more people leaving than joining. The first job is to reverse that trend.' It had been reported he had hoped to secure £2.5billion to increase troop numbers to 76,000. 5 5
