Earlier on Friday, Britain’s top military official cautioned that the nation needs to strengthen its defenses due to threats from Russia, which invaded Ukraine over four years ago.
According to Western intelligence reports, Russia could launch an attack on a NATO member state within four years, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Friday.
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He spoke as he committed to releasing a long-awaited defence funding strategy ahead of next month’s NATO summit.
«Our intelligence assessment, supported by those of fellow NATO members, indicates a possible Russian attack on NATO as early as 2030,» Starmer explained.
«This highlights the urgency and priority we are assigning to this issue,» he added while visiting a drone manufacturer in southwest England.
This timeline aligns with estimates shared by other European leaders and NATO’s chief, Mark Rutte, who warned in December that Russia «could be prepared to deploy military force against NATO within five years.»
Starmer vowed to increase defence expenditure to 2.5% of GDP starting next year and raise it to 3% during the next parliamentary term.
A 10-year defence investment strategy, based on a review of the UK’s military capabilities, was scheduled to be published late last year but remains unreleased.
Starmer confirmed it will be made public before the NATO summit in Turkey, set to begin on 7 July.
UK news sources have reported that disagreements over costs between the finance ministry and other departments have caused the delay.
He assured reporters that the plan would be «fully financed.»
Earlier on Friday, Britain’s top military official emphasized the necessity of strengthening national defenses in light of threats from Russia, which invaded Ukraine over four years ago.
«In my 35 years of service, this is the most perilous time I have encountered,» Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton told the BBC.
«Therefore, it is vital to improve the capabilities and readiness of our armed forces along with our allies to discourage our opponents from undertaking reckless actions.»
US President Donald Trump has consistently urged NATO members to increase defence spending and reduce dependence on the US for security.
Additional sources • AFP