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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
British PM Keir Starmer moves UK military into 'war-fighting readiness'
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that he is moving the United Kingdom's military into "war-fighting readiness" to address growing threats from Russia. During a visit to BAE Systems'Govan facility, a navy ship-building yard in Glasgow, Scotland, the prime minister laid out "three fundamental changes" to be made in response to the country's strategic defense review. "First, we are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces," Starmer said. "When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready. And frankly, to show them that we're ready, to deliver peace through strength." 'Make Nato Great Again': Hegseth Pushes European Allies To Step Up Defense Efforts Starmer continued, "Now Britain has the finest service men and women in the world. We're showing them the respect that they deserve by delivering the biggest armed forces pay rise in 20 years and by pledging today that we will end the hollowing out of our armed forces. "We'll build a fighting force that is more integrated, more ready, more lethal than ever, backed by a stronger strategic reserve, fully trained and ready to mobilize at any time." The new approach comes as President Donald Trump has warned European nations to take more responsibility for their own security. Starmer's announcement focused on a "new era" of threats, citing the war in Ukraine, new nuclear risks and "daily cyberattacks," as well as reversing the post-Cold War defense decline. He called out "growing Russian aggression" in U.K. waters and skies, blaming "their reckless actions" for the increased cost of living "hitting working people the hardest." Read On The Fox News App "The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War," Starmer said. The U.K. government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and NATO secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of "fighting big tank battles on European landmass" are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air, sea and in cyberspace. The second change, Starmer explained from Scotland, is ensuring "everything we do will add to the strength of NATO." "As we step up to take greater responsibility for our collective defense, the NATO alliance means something profound, that we will never fight alone," Starmer said. "It is a fundamental source of our strategic strength. That's why our defense policy will always be NATO first, something that's written through this review. The transformation we are driving in our defense must add up to Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation. So that when we're building new capabilities at home, we are making our allies safer too, strengthening Europe, and strengthening our bridge to the US as Britain's first partner in defense." Rubio Demands Nato Pony Up, Dismisses 'Hysteria' Over Us Role Under Trump The third change laid out by Starmer is for the U.K. to "innovate and accelerate at a wartime pace so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow as the fastest innovator in NATO." He said such advancements would not mean "replacing people" or hardware, but would rather mean "learning the lessons of Ukraine" and ensuring "every capability we have works seamlessly together." "Drones, destroyers, AI, aircraft, each different branch of our armed services, fully integrated to create an army which is 10 times more lethal by 2035," Starmer said. The U.K. government said it's expanding the country's armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet with up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS boats through a partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. Starmer has already pledged to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, a boost from the current 2.3%, and to eventually get that up to 3%. GB News noted at the press conference Monday that Starmer hasn't committed to having 3% of the GDP go to defense spending within the next nine years, even as Germany's defense chief warned Russia could invade a NATO ally within the next four years. In his response, Starmer reiterated the U.K. as a "steadfast ally" to Ukraine and said the changes coming as a result of the review would be the best way to deter further conflict. The U.K. government will also increase Britain's conventional weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a "defense dividend" of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs – a contrast to the post-Cold War "peace dividend" that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. The Associated Press contributed to this article source: British PM Keir Starmer moves UK military into 'war-fighting readiness'
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Britain to build up defence with nuclear-powered attack submarines
Prime Minister Keir Starmer that Britain 'cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses' Published Jun 02, 2025 • 4 minute read Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech during a visit to the BAE Systems'Govan facility, in Glasgow, on June 2, 2025. Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP LONDON — The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, get its army ready to fight a war in Europe and become 'a battle-ready, armor-clad nation,' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, part of a boost to military spending designed to send a message to Moscow — and Washington. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Starmer said Britain 'cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses' as he pledged to undertake the most sweeping changes to Britain's defences since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago. 'The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,' Starmer told workers and journalists at a navy shipyard in Scotland. A new era of threats Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and NATO secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and by the re-election of President Donald Trump last year. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of 'fighting big tank battles on European landmass' are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. Submarines and weapons The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and 'learning the lessons of Ukraine,' which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. The government said the U.K, will also establish a cyber command to counter 'daily' Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Monday's announcements include building 'up to 12' nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. The government will also increase conventional Britain's weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a 'defense dividend' of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs — a contrast to the post-Cold War 'peace dividend' that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Deterring Russia comes at a cost Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send 'a message to Moscow,' and transform the country's military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers — currently at a two-century low — to rise until the early 2030s. Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are 'on track' and that there's 'no doubt' it will hit 3% before 2034. Starmer said the 3% goal is an 'ambition,' rather than a firm promise, and it's unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. Starmer said he wouldn't make a firm pledge until he knew 'precisely where the money is coming from.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in NATO think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. NATO chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. Bolstering Europe's defences It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for NATO members to spend more on their own defence. European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make 'Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation.' 'We will never fight alone,' he said. 'Our defense policy will always be NATO-first.' James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed more money for defense but was skeptical of the government's 3% pledge, 'All of Labour's strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them,' he said. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Columnists Editorial Cartoons World
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘World has changed': Starmer plans UK army ready to fight in Europe to give message to Putin, Trump
Like other Nato members, the UK has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 read more Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, speaks to a member of staff during a visit to the BAE Systems'Govan facility, in Glasgow, Scotland. AP The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, prepare its army to fight a war in Europe, and become 'a battle-ready, armor-clad nation,' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, as part of a military spending hike intended to send a message to Moscow and Washington. Starmer said Britain 'cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses' as he vowed to make the most significant upgrades to Britain's defences since the Soviet Union's collapse more than three decades ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The threat we face is more serious, more immediate, and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,' Starmer told workers and journalists at a naval shipyard in Scotland. A new era of threats Like other Nato members, the UK has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and Nato secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and by the re-election of President Donald Trump last year. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of 'fighting big tank battles on European landmass' are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. Submarines and weapons The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and 'learning the lessons of Ukraine,' which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The government said the U.K, will also establish a cyber command to counter 'daily' Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. Monday's announcements include building 'up to 12' nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. The government will also increase conventional Britain's weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a 'defense dividend' of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs — a contrast to the post-Cold War 'peace dividend' that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. Deterring Russia comes at a cost Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send 'a message to Moscow,' and transform the country's military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers — currently at a two-century low — to rise until the early 2030s. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are 'on track' and that there's 'no doubt' it will hit 3% before 2034. Starmer said the 3% goal is an 'ambition,' rather than a firm promise, and it's unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. Starmer said he wouldn't make a firm pledge until he knew 'precisely where the money is coming from.' Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in Nato think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. Nato chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. Bolstering Europe's defenses It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for Nato members to spend more on their own defense. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of Nato and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make 'Britain's biggest contribution to Nato since its creation.' 'We will never fight alone,' he said. 'Our defense policy will always be Nato-first.' James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed more money for defense but was skeptical of the government's 3% pledge, 'All of Labour's strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them,' he said.
