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Rishi Sunak insisted that the British armed forces had the funds they needed for a "more unstable world" in the face of mounting challenges from China and Russia. The prime minister promised an additional £5bn for the army over two years, but failed to meet demands by the Conservatives to commit to spending 3% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP) on defence. Significant sums of the newly pledged funds will be spent replenishing stocks of munitions delivered to Ukraine and working on the Aukus project to develop nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
This short-term funding is only about half of what Defense Secretary Ben Wallace would have demanded as military budgets are squeezed by the impact of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and high inflation. although officials said he was "pleased" with the deal.
As the government presents the Integrated Review Update 2023 (IR23) on Monday, Sunak travels to San Diego, California, for talks with Aukus allies US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Speaking at the USS Midway museum ship in California harbor, Mr. Sunak said: “Clearly the world has become more unstable, threats to our security have increased.
“And that is why we are investing an additional £5 billion in our global militaries over the next two years and increasing our defense spending to 2.5% of GDP so that we can continue to be a world leader in defense and security. of our country. .
The promised funding will bring an additional £1.98bn this year and £2.97bn next year for defence.
Some £3bn will be invested in nuclear defense ventures, including support for the Aukus project, while £1.9bn will help replenish and bolster ammunition stockpiles.
Sunak told reporters that the additional funding would increase spending from 2% of GDP in 2020 to 2.25% in 2025.
"At that time we will define the trajectory for the next phase," he said, with the ambition of reaching 2.5%.
The Defense Secretary has previously called for a spending commitment of 3% of GDP, which former Prime Minister Liz Truss promised by the end of the decade during her brief tenure.
The UK was already on track to reach 2.5% by the end of the decade according to plans laid out when Boris Johnson was ranked 10th.
Labor has accused the Conservatives of failing to secure Britain's national defense for the future.
Shadow Defense Secretary John Healey said: "While 25 other NATO countries have already restarted defense planning and spending since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Tories are still dragging their feet on the big decisions".
The IR23 document, due to be officially launched with a Commons statement on Monday, updates the 2021 integrated review following the war in Ukraine and pressure from Conservative MPs to take a tougher line on China.
Sunak acknowledged that the Chinese Communist Party's military, financial and diplomatic activity represented a "historical challenge."
The prime minister, who described China as the biggest long-term threat to the UK during his leadership bid last year, said: "This is a regime that is increasingly authoritarian at home and assertive abroad, and who has a desire to reshape the world order.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with NBC News' Lester Holt, Sunak said: "The behavior we've seen in China lately is concerning."
Mr. Sunak added: “China definitely represents the biggest state threat to our economic interests. And it is a systemic challenge to the world order.
Speaking about Western military aid to Ukraine, he said: "I think it is important at this time that we accelerate and intensify our support for Ukraine."
Starting Monday, a new national security watchdog within MI5 will provide expert advice to UK businesses and other organizations on how to counter foreign spies.
Funding for China's whole-of-government capacity program will be doubled, strengthening Mandarin language training and diplomatic skills.
A new National Security School curriculum will boost expertise across government, while a £1bn Integrated Security Fund will replace an existing curriculum to focus on government priorities.
The UK's Critical Minerals Strategy will be updated to ensure access to vital resources, while the BBC World Service will receive an additional £20m to maintain 47 language services to help tackle disinformation from hostile states.
PA wire
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