UK Boosts Nuclear Arsenal and Defense Spending

The UK government has warned of growing threats from Russia, China, Iran, and ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, urging the nation to prepare for the possibility of war on home soil. The new National Security Strategy calls for whole-of-society preparedness, increased protection for critical infrastructure, and annual resilience exercises. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to raising defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 and confirmed the purchase of 12 US-made F-35A nuclear-capable jets, reinstating a nuclear airstrike capability for the first time in decades. The strategy highlights the importance of the UK's Continuous At Sea Deterrent and reassures the public about the nation's nuclear posture. Experts note this represents the biggest strengthening of the UK’s nuclear capabilities in a generation, though questions remain about costs and reliance on US-controlled assets. The strategy invokes a World War II spirit, calling for national agility and resilience in the face of complex and evolving threats.