UK will commit to spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035

The Guardian ^ | Mon 23 Jun 2025 | Aletha Adu

[MinorityRepublican]

Britain will commit to spending 5% of its GDP on defence by 2035 after weeks of diplomatic pressure and intense negotiations with allies.

The decision came as Keir Starmer, the prime minister, prepared to join Nato leaders at a summit dominated by global conflict and expectations of European military self-reliance.

The UK’s pledge aligns with Nato’s new spending targets – but at a slower pace than key allies including Poland. Britain pushed for and secured a later date.

Military chiefs are expected to welcome the announcement but officials acknowledged the 5% increase would combine traditional defence spending of 3.5% with a broader “whole of society” category worth 1.5% of GDP.

Some defence officials have privately said the headline figure risks conflating military capability with investment already budgeted for by the Treasury. They pointed out that the target would be hit only after the next election but one.

[DAC21]

So ten years to say “just kidding”

[hinckley buzzard]

I think that’s called “when we get around to it.”

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Basically.

[BradyLS]

“I will gladly pay you Tuesday…”

[House Atreides]

Military chiefs are expected to welcome the announcement but officials acknowledged the 5% increase would combine traditional defence spending of 3.5% with a broader “whole of society” category worth 1.5% of GDP.
**************************************************

GIBS ME SOME OF THAT “WHOLE OF SOCIETY” spending.

[mass55th]

Time for the U.S. to get out of NATO. Those reprobates will never pay their fair share. They’re nothing but a bunch of leeches.

[iamgalt]

Starmer is pulling a fast by broadening what constitutes defense spending so commitment means nothing.

[Whatever Works]

In 10 years will it matter? And 5%, seriously? They shouldn’t even be allowed at the table.

[BroJoeK]

from the article: "Military chiefs are expected to welcome the announcement but officials acknowledged the 5% increase would combine traditional defence spending of 3.5% with a broader “whole of society” category worth 1.5% of GDP."

H.A.: "IBS ME SOME OF THAT “WHOLE OF SOCIETY” spending."

Ideally, "whole of society" is not just Brit-talk for pork barrel earmarks and logrolling.
It should include such things as increased & modernized infrastructure to produce more ships, planes, missiles, tanks, ammunition, etc., along with civil defense structures like underground facilities, transportation & utilities.

Also, many people forget that in the early years of the American Republic, the Militia Acts of 1792 and 1795 required universal male participation in state militias -- for all “able-bodied white male citizens”.
This was at a time (early 1800s), when the US standing army was barely 6,000 and yet militia numbers potentially called to service were nearly 1 million armed soldiers -- institutionalized Minutemen.
Today such reserve militia forces (as in Switzerland or Israel) could fall under modern terms like "whole of society" and "social cohesion", to be included in the 1.5% of GDP that is defense related but not strictly military.

[Dat]

I am sure that commitment will last until 2028 or so.

[MinorityRepublican]

I am sure that commitment will last until 2028 or so.

Depends on whether JD (or Rubio) will be able to win the next election.

[9YearLurker]

In 10 years. That’s a good one!!!