UK steps nearer to WW3 as NATO doubles defence spending in transfer much like WW1 prelude
NATO allies have agreed to commit to spending 5% of GDP on defence spending and related infrastructure by 2035, according to Sky News, which cited two sources with knowledge of discussions.
Britain and its NATO allies are set to commit to aAccording to two insiders privy to the discussions, ambassadors from all 32 member countries of the alliance have agreed on this significant increase in expenditure ahead of an important summit this week.
This commitment more than doubles the current 2% pledge amid escalating global tensions, particularly after Donald Trump’s strikes in Iran. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has been vocal about the need for a substantial hike in defence budgets, a sentiment echoed by former US President Donald Trump, with the agreement expected to be finalised this week, Sky News reports.
The proposed budget allocation is anticipated to be divided into 3.5% for traditional defence outlays like ammunition and weaponry, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for supporting infrastructure and equipment.
Such enabling infrastructure would cover expenses like the reinforcement of bridges to support the transportation of heavy military machinery.
The UK has already pledged to boost its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, harbouring an “ambition” to further increase it to 3% in the subsequent parliament, reports the Express.
The move to beef up arms in the face of rising geopolitical uncertainty has faint echoes of the arms race that raged in the runup to World War One, which saw millions (billions in today’s money) spent on weaponry.
There are many differences too, but it serves a chilling reminder of how a previous move to ply militaries with cash and resources ended.
The Strategic Review, published earlier this month, claimed it was key to be raising defence funding to at least 3% for the UK to afford the essential enhancements it has identified.
The review advocates for investments in areas such as remuneration and housing to curb the exodus from the armed forces and to attract more individuals to consider serving in the military.
The review highlighted the necessity of acquiring and deploying fighter jets, devising novel methods for nuclear arms delivery, manufacturing nuclear submarines, and making substantial advancements in AI and cyber warfare.
Presently, no NATO member state allocates 5% of its GDP towards defence spending. Poland leads the pack with a defence expenditure of 4.12% of its GDP.
Estonia (3.43%), the United States (3.38%) and Latvia (3.15%) closely follow Poland’s lead in defence spending.
This development comes on the heels of a recent attack by the United States, a NATO ally, on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which has raised concerns about potential retaliatory actions by Iran.
Such a response from Iran could potentially invoke NATO’s Article 5, obliging allies to provide assistance to the US.
When questioned about the possibility of the UK being required to intervene under NATO rules in the event of an Iranian attack on US bases in the region, the Prime Minister declined to comment, stating: “I’m not going to speculate about what may happen, because all of my focus is on de-escalation.”
He reassured the public that necessary measures had been taken to safeguard UK interests, personnel, and those of its allies, adding: “That’s what you’d expect, but my focus is on de-escalating this situation. Dealing with the threat that is that nuclear programme, but getting the parties around the table to negotiate an outcome to this.”
