UK announces £75B defense boost — and challenges Europe to follow suit – POLITICO
The commitment, which Sunak insisted would not require spending cuts or tax rises, would bring the U.K.’s annual defense spending to £87 billion in 2030-31. NATO countries are expected to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense, with 18 members currently on track to do so. Germany hit that target for the first time this year. Former U.S. president and current candidate Donald Trump has suggested he wouldn’t protect countries failing to hit the target if they’re attacked, reigniting debate about defense spend in Europe. In a statement accompanying Sunak’s announcement, No.10 Downing Street said: “If all NATO countries committed at least 2.5 percent of their GDP to defense, our collective budget would increase by more than £140 billion.” The new package will include an investment of an extra £10 billion over the next decade on munitions production and “radical” reforms of Britain’s defense procurement procedures, the British government said. It’s also vowing a new “Defence Innovation Agency” to boost military research and development. “Today is a turning point for European security and a …