Latest news with #Defence
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
At Shangri-La Dialogue, Pete Hegseth warns China aims to alter Indo-Pacific status quo
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific defence chiefs that China wanted to 'fundamentally alter the region's status quo', and that American allies must step up defence investments. Speaking on Saturday in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue , Asia's premier defence conference, Hegseth said that the threat posed by China was 'real and could be imminent'. He said this included its efforts to build the capacity to take over Taiwan by force by 2027. 'President Trump has also said that Communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch,' he added. He said that while the United States did not seek war or to humiliate China, 'it has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific'. He appealed to senior officials there, saying that Washington 'counts on' American allies and partners to do their part on defence as they shift their strategic focus to the region.
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
‘No doubt' UK will spend 3% of GDP on defence by mid-2030s, Healey says
The Government has previously set out its 'ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament', after meeting its pledge to ratchet up defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027. But the Defence Secretary has promised a 'certain decade of rising defence spending', according to The Times, and said there was 'no doubt' the UK would meet its target. Mr Healey told the newspaper: 'It allows us to plan for the long term. It allows us to deal with the pressures.' The Government is looking at the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK armed forces as part of its strategic defence review (SDR). It will explore 'deliverable and affordable' solutions 'within the resources available to defence within the trajectory of 2.5%'. When he announced the targets earlier this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'In an ever more dangerous world, increasing the resilience of our country so we can protect the British people, resist future shocks and bolster British interests, is vital.' The new defence money will be found by reducing UK overseas aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI (gross national income), according to the Government, a move which prompted then-international development minister Anneliese Dodds to resign. 'You have maintained that you want to continue support for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine; for vaccination; for climate; and for rules-based systems,' she told Sir Keir. 'Yet it will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cut.' Nato heads of government are set to meet in The Hague, in the Netherlands, next month. Addressing the alliance's parliamentary assembly in Dayton, USA this month, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said: 'I assume that in The Hague we will agree on a high defence spend target of, in total, 5%.' A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'This Government has announced the largest sustained increase to defence spending since the end of the Cold War – 2.5% by 2027 and 3% in the next parliament when fiscal and economic conditions allow, including an extra £5 billion this financial year. 'The SDR will rightly set the vision for how that uplift will be spent, including new capabilities to put us at the leading edge of innovation in Nato, investment in our people and making defence an engine for growth across the UK – making Britain more secure at home and strong abroad.'
Dubai Eye
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Dubai Eye
Dubai Fitness Challenge to return in November
The month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge that transforms the Emirate into a city-wide gym will return for its ninth edition in November with a flagship sunset yoga event to wrap things up. It will kick off on November 1, with a brand new logo that reflects Dubai's "bold, inspiring and inclusive spirit". The challenge, which encourages residents to stay active for 30 minutes a day for 30 days, has attracted over 13 million participants across its eight editions. It was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, in 2017. Other flagship events like the Dubai Ride (November 2), Dubai Stand-Up Paddle (November 8-9) and Dubai Run (November 23) will return.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
US Defence Secretary Hegseth tells Asian allies to up defence expenditure to match Europe's 5% of GDP
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaking at the first plenary session on United States' new ambitions for Indo-Pacific security at Shangri-la Dialogue 2025 on May 31. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 US Defence Secretary Hegseth tells Asian allies to up defence expenditure to match Europe's 5% of GDP SINGAPORE -- The US expects Asian countries to increase their defence spending to match levels that Washington expects of European allies, since they bear the brunt of the 'threat' of China and North Korea in their backyards. That was the message that US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth brought on May 31 to the leading annual forum of global security and defence leaders in the Asia Pacific at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue. 'It is hard to believe I can say this – but Asian allies and partners should look to countries in Europe as a new-found example. Nato members are pledging to spend 5% of their GDP on defence, even Germany,' the former Fox News presenter said. Mr Hegseth communicated to European allies this expectation at the Munich Security Conference in February. 'How can it make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies and partners in Asia spend far less in the face of a far more formidable threat from Communist China, not to mention North Korea?' he added. 'Ultimately, a strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage. China envies what we have together.' Since the Trump administration returned to office at the turn of 2025, Washington has been doubling down on its demands that its allies should bear a greater responsibility for their conventional defences and cannot expect the US to bear the financial burden alone. For a generation, the US ignored the Indo-Pacific, but under the Trump administration, 'we are here to stay', Mr Hegseth said. Like Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, 'President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests, built on a willingness to work with others while respecting mutual self-interest, and informed by an understanding of military strength but shaped by a preference for engaging on the basis of commerce and sovereignty — not war,' he said. He added: 'These two historic men share a willingness to challenge old ways of doing things that no longer make sense. Under President Trump's leadership, we are applying this common sense approach here in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world.' While China is reportedly the world's second largest defence spender in the world after the US, Beijing's reported defence expenditure typically does not exceed 1.5 per cent of its GDP, compared to the 3.5 per cent that the US typically maintains every year. In 2024, Singapore said it plans to cap its defence outlay to about 3 per cent of its GDP annually on average for the next decade. The US is bounded by treaty to defend the Philippines when the South-east Asian archipelago is under attack and has been deeply committed to the defence of Taiwan, a self-governing territory that Beijing claims as its own to be reunified by force if necessary. Clement Tan is an assistant foreign editor at The Straits Times. He helps to oversee coverage of South Asia, the US, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Belfast Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
‘No doubt' UK will spend 3% of GDP on defence by mid-2030s, Healey says
The Government has previously set out its 'ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament', after meeting its pledge to ratchet up defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027. But the Defence Secretary has promised a 'certain decade of rising defence spending', according to The Times, and said there was 'no doubt' the UK would meet its target. Mr Healey told the newspaper: 'It allows us to plan for the long term. It allows us to deal with the pressures.' The Government is looking at the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK armed forces as part of its strategic defence review (SDR). It will explore 'deliverable and affordable' solutions 'within the resources available to defence within the trajectory of 2.5%'. When he announced the targets earlier this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'In an ever more dangerous world, increasing the resilience of our country so we can protect the British people, resist future shocks and bolster British interests, is vital.' The new defence money will be found by reducing UK overseas aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI (gross national income), according to the Government, a move which prompted then-international development minister Anneliese Dodds to resign. 'You have maintained that you want to continue support for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine; for vaccination; for climate; and for rules-based systems,' she told Sir Keir. 'Yet it will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cut.' Nato heads of government are set to meet in The Hague, in the Netherlands, next month. Addressing the alliance's parliamentary assembly in Dayton, USA this month, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said: 'I assume that in The Hague we will agree on a high defence spend target of, in total, 5%.' A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'This Government has announced the largest sustained increase to defence spending since the end of the Cold War – 2.5% by 2027 and 3% in the next parliament when fiscal and economic conditions allow, including an extra £5 billion this financial year. 'The SDR will rightly set the vision for how that uplift will be spent, including new capabilities to put us at the leading edge of innovation in Nato, investment in our people and making defence an engine for growth across the UK – making Britain more secure at home and strong abroad.'
