16th Feb 2026 11:45
(Alliance News) - Britain must "go faster" on defence spending, Keir Starmer has said ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The UK prime minister has already committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP next year and 3% after the next election.
But the BBC has reported he is now mulling bringing forward the 3% target to 2029, after the head of the UK's armed forces set out the "moral" case for rearmament.
Asked about the reports at an event in London on Monday, Starmer would not confirm that he was considering bringing forward the target, but said Europe needed to "step up when it comes to defence and security".
He said: "We have a threat of Russian aggression. In a few days' time it's the four-year anniversary of the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
"We want a just and lasting peace, but that will not extinguish the Russian threat, and we need to be alert to that, because that's going to affect every single person in this room, every single person in this country, so we need to step up.
"That means on defence spending, we need to go faster."
Starmer added that, as well as increasing spending, improving Britain's defence also involved collaborating with "like-minded countries, particularly in Europe", following his call at the Munich Security Conference for a shift towards "a more European Nato".
While the government has announced its plan to spend more on defence, it is yet to publish its delayed "defence investment plan" setting out how it will meet its commitments.
Reports that the 3% spending target could be brought forward come after the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, issued a joint call with his German counterpart for a "step change in our defence and security".
Warning that Russia had "shifted decisively westward", the pair said Europe "must now confront uncomfortable truths about its security".
Writing in The Guardian and Die Welt, they said: "There is a moral dimension to this endeavour. Rearmament is not warmongering; it is the responsible action of nations determined to protect their people and preserve peace.
"Strength deters aggression. Weakness invites it."
Shares in Babcock International Group PLC rose 3.6% to 1,346.00 pence each on Monday morning in London, while shares in Melrose Industries PLC were up 3.5%, at 664.60p. BAE Systems PLC shares climbed 2.9% to 2,024.07p. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC shares were up 0.9% at 1,282.00p.
By Christopher McKeon and George Lithgow, Press Association
Press Association: News
source: PA
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