Former Labour leader urges increase to deter Russia
Neil Kinnock, the former Labour leader, has cautioned that Britain may need to raise its defence spending to four per cent of its economic output to effectively deter threats from Russia. He criticized PM Sir Keir Starmer's proposed target of 2.5 per cent as insufficient in the current geopolitical climate.
Current Defence Spending Falls Short
Currently, Britain's defence spending stands at 2.3 per cent of domestic output, but it drops to a mere 1.6 per cent when expenditures on the nuclear deterrent are excluded. This has sparked concerns about the country's ability to counter potential threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Pressure Mounts for Increase
The Government faces mounting pressure to significantly boost defence spending, with the incoming US President Donald Trump even suggesting that NATO allies should aim for up to five per cent of GDP for defence expenditures. Other NATO members have also raised concerns about Britain's commitment to air defenses.
Call for Action
Lord Kinnock emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that a defence spending target of three to four per cent is a realistic objective given the current security challenges faced by the country. He highlighted the need for investments in both conventional forces and advanced technologies to address evolving threats effectively.
