UK's defence spending increases by $6 bn to counter the growing threat of Russia and China - announces Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

San Diego/London – The United Kingdom has announced a major increase in its defence spending to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and unprecedented challenges from China. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the UK had provided an additional $6 billion in defence spending in the next two years. At this time, the UK has released a policy paper, ‘Integrated Review Refresh 2023’, which reviewed the defence and foreign policy. It has drawn attention to the UK’s mention of Taiwan for the first time.

British Prime Minister Sunak was currently on a US tour, and before entering the US, he announced an increase in defence spending. Sunak announced an additional provision of $6 billion, saying the UK would raise its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in the coming years. Moreover, he pointed out that this provision differs from the defence provision in the budget and the announcement made in 2020. Besides, he explained that part of this would be used to fill the weapons shortage created in the UK’s defence forces due to the supply of arms to Ukraine. Sunak also said the rest of the share would be given for the OCAs Pact with the US and Australia.

Although the members of Parliament have expressed satisfaction over the additional provision announced by PM Sunak, there has been displeasure in military circles. In the face of threats like Russia and China, some senior military officers demanded that the UK reduce its defence spending to 3% of GDP. A policy paper called ‘Integrated Review Refresh 2023’ was also released while making additional provisions for defence expenditure.

The UK released an Integrated Review in 2021, which reviewed security, foreign policy and defence policy together. In the background of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the review has been reformed, and the threat of Russia and China has been prioritised in the new policy paper. It has drawn attention to the moves of China’s ruling communist regime that systematically challenged the UK’s policies in every sector. It has also been made aware in the ‘Integrated Review Refresh 2023’ that the United Kingdom cannot turn a blind eye to China’s activities.

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