• UK to build new nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance military readiness.
• Defense spending is set to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with aspirations for 3% by 2034.
• Prime Minister Starmer emphasizes the urgent need to counter Russian threats and adapt NATO strategies.

The United Kingdom has announced a significant military boost aimed at countering threats from Russia and addressing expectations from the United States under President Trump. Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that the UK "cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses," emphasizing the need for a transformative defense strategy, the most comprehensive since the Cold War, with the goal of achieving “war-fighting readiness” in a new era of threats. This announcement comes as the UK commits to vast investments in nuclear capabilities, including the construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines, as well as a large-scale overhaul of its military forces, according to Indiatimes and South China Morning Post.

The plans originate from a strategic defense review, the first update since 2021, which found that “the threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,” according to Starmer. His government plans to accept all 62 recommendations from this review, focusing on increasing military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and potentially reaching 3% by 2034. These actions are partly motivated by the reassessment of defense strategies since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has prompted many NATO members, such as Poland and Germany, to similarly ramp up their military preparations, as reported by South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The government has outlined ambitious plans including building "up to 12" nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States, alongside a £15 billion investment into the UK's nuclear arsenal. Additionally, the initiative aims to create new munitions factories to significantly increase the production capacity of long-range weapons and support military operations, with estimates of up to 7,000 new long-range missiles planned, according to NPR and NPR.

In addition to hardware upgrades, the UK will enhance its cyber defense capabilities, establishing a cyber command to respond to numerous cyberattack threats, which have increased since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Starmer stated that rearming the military will not only bolster national security but also create a "defense dividend" by generating well-paying jobs, marking a shift from the peace dividend seen post-Cold War, according to South China Morning Post and Indiatimes.

The UK's commitment to a NATO-first defense policy comes as European allies coordinate their military efforts in response to perceived threats from Russia and the changing landscape of American foreign policy under Trump, who has previously questioned NATO's value. Starmer indicated that Britain's efforts represent the "biggest contribution to NATO since its creation," intending to reassure both local and international partners of the UK’s military resolve in uncertain times, as indicated by Al Jazeera and NPR.