Keir Starmer Puts The UK On A War Footing As He Warns Of 'Growing Russian Aggression'

Keir Starmer has put the UK on a war footing as he warned of “growing Russian aggression” at sea, in the air and cyberspace.

The prime minister said he wanted to deliver “peace through strength” as he launched the government’s strategic defence review (SDR).

But a row broke out over how Labour plans to pay for its plans, which include building up to 12 new attack submarines, thousands of long-range missiles, six munitions factories and billions of pounds worth of nuclear warheads.

Starmer refused to echo defence secretary John Healey in confirming that defence spending will increase to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2034.

In a major speech in Glasgow, the PM said: “We are moving to warfighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces.

“When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready – and, frankly, to show them that we’re ready – to deliver peace through strength.”

Starmer said “the front line is here” as he warned that the UK faces greater threats now than at any time since the end of the Cold War more than 30 years ago.

He said: “We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks. Growing Russian aggression in our waters, menacing our skies.

“Their reckless actions driving up the cost of living here at home, creating economic pain and hitting working people the hardest.

“A new era in the threats we face demands a new era for defence and security, not just to survive in this new world – but to lead.”

The government has announced it will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027, with an ambition of hitting 3% in the next parliament.

However, the SDR’s own authors have warned that the military budget must hit that 3% target if the government’s military plans are to be affordable.

Meanwhile, at a Nato summit later this month, member states will be told that they should increase their defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.

Opposition parties criticised the government for failing to set out how it will pay for its defence spending plans.

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: “All of Labour’s strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them.”

Lib Dem defence spokesperson Helen Maguire said ministers were showing “a worrying lack of urgency”.

“Unless Labour commits to holding cross-party talks on how to reach 3% much more rapidly than the mid-2030s, this announcement risks becoming a damp squib,” she said.

Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice said: “The commitments made in this defence review are completely empty if Labour does not commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence.”