UK PM Starmer Commits to 2.6% GDP Defense Spending by 2027; 3% Target by 2029–2034

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed to raising UK defense spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027, sustained through the next General Election, and to reaching 3% of GDP between 2029 and 2034. The commitment, confirmed in multiple Bloomberg reports across April 11–20, falls short of NATO's agreed 5% GDP target by 2035 but represents a significant acceleration from the UK's current 2.3% spending level and earlier 2.5% target. Starmer defended the plan against charges of 'corrosive complacency' levelled by former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, who warned Britain's security was 'in peril.' Bloomberg reported Starmer was 'plotting higher UK defense spending in a bid to save his job' — reflecting the domestic political pressure driving the announcement. The UK remains Europe's second-largest military by budget and a permanent NATO nuclear state. Its investment plan — which Starmer vowed would be published 'as soon as possible' — is expected to include new commitments on munitions stockpiles, Army readiness, and support for Ukraine. Critics noted the UK cannot currently locate 95,000 reservists on its call-up list, highlighting structural readiness gaps beyond budget figures.