Britain unveils radical defence overhaul to meet new threats

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Britain said Monday that it would radically change its approach to defense to deal with the threats of nuclear threats and cyber attacks, so that by investing in drones and digital war, rather than relying on a larger army to engage in modern fighting.

Responding to US President Donald Trump’s insistence that Europe accepts more responsibility for its security, Prime Minister Kerr Starr has promised the most permanent increase in British defense spending after the end of the Cold War.

But with limited financial support, the government’s plan is to imagine that the army has been made more deadly by learning from Ukraine, where drones and technology have changed the battlefield.

Secretary Defense John Haley said that the anti -British coalition is doing more, and technology is changing how the war was fought.

“The drones now kill more people than the traditional artillery in the war in Ukraine, and whoever acquires new technology in the hands of his armed forces will win fast,” he said.

Immediately after being elected last July, the star conducted a strategic defense review, which was worked out for experts, including former NATO boss, George Robertson, and White House, former Russian adviser, who had been planned for the next 10 years.

Despite the decline in the military budget in recent years, the United Kingdom is still involved with France as an important European military powers with France, its army has helped maintain NATO’s eastern part and its navy in India -Pacific.

But the army, with 70,860 full -time trained soldiers, has been the smallest since the Napoleon era, and the government has said that in view of the growing strategic risks, it needs to be improved.

The government has failed to prove that it can provide financial support for the review recommendations, meaning that it has eliminated “big decisions,” said James Cartelage, head of the opposition’s conservative defense policy.

“A SDR [Strategic Defence Review] There is a list of an empty desire without a fund, “Cartelage told lawmakers, many of whom criticized the government for not issuing a first review in parliament instead of the media.

The new defensive age

Under the government -accepted plan, the UK will increase its attack submarines, which are nuclear -powered but will carry traditional weapons, and before the next election, in 2029, will spend $ 20.3 billion on converting nuclear warheads to their nuclear fleet.

It will produce at least six new riot plants, up to 7,000 British -made long -range weapons, and launch new communication systems for the battlefield.

In the past two years, British military networks will guide defensive and aggressive cyber capabilities, a cyber and electromagnetic command, after experiencing more than 90,000 “sub -thyroid” attacks.

But on the size of the armed forces, the review states that it will not reduce the number, even more emphasis on technology, but when funding is allowed, the total number of regular personnel should be preferred, it is likely that after 2029.

“The moment has arrived to change the moment we defend ourselves.”

“When we are being directly threatened by modern military forces, the most effective way to stop them is to be prepared,” he said.

The star has already said that defense costs will increase by 2.5 % of GDP by 2027, which is more than 2.3 %, but critics and political opponents urged the government to present the date when it will reach 3 % of GDP.

Reuters has earlier reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Roti wants members to increase defense costs to 3.5 % of their GDP, and 1.5 % on more security items to meet Trump’s 5 % target demand.

The star said he was “100 % confident” that British defense spending in the next parliament would reach 3 %, possibly between 2029-2034.

The government described its policy as “NATO First”, and attracted the power of the members of the alliance, which means it will never be able to fight alone.

The star has tried to cast high defense spending to create jobs and wealth, as it reduced the popularity between public financing, gradually growing economy and rapidly dissatisfied voters.

Announcement about the new submarines helped eliminate shares of defense groups Babcak, BAE and Rolls Rice.