A part of updated strategy to counter growing threats from China and Russia, the UK will increase military spending by £5 billion and aim to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP.

The Chinese Communist Party will be described as an “epoch-defining challenge” in the revised defense, security, and foreign policy review.

However, the text will stop short of labeling Beijing a state threat in general, instead reiterating that it is the most severe state-based threat to UK economic security.

Overview

The top priority will be to address Moscow’s “fundamental risk” to European security and to prevent President Vladimir Putin from profiting from his invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, speaking before the release of his updated review on Monday, said the new funds for defense over the next two years would replenish and expand ammunition stockpiles, as well as supplemental funding for the nuclear deterrent.

However, while welcomed by the Ministry of Defence, the amount is far less than what military commanders are thought to require. According to sources, the British Army alone requires an additional £3 billion per year to avoid further cuts.

End Note

Mr Sunak, on a visit to the US, also failed to devote to a timeframe on when his ambition for financing to reach 2.5% of government revenue, up from just over 2%, would be accomplished other than in the “longer term”.