UK to Hike Defense Spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035: NATO Pressure and Government Silence

The UK government will increase its defense spending to 3.5% of its GDP by 2035, according to Sky News. This decision is part of a wider NATO initiative and has reportedly caused surprise within the Ministry of Defence. Deborah Haynes, Sky's Security and Defence editor, explains that the lack of a formal announcement from the Prime Minister adds to the intrigue, especially given the recent release of a major defense review. The additional 1.5% will be allocated to infrastructure projects, such as roads, railways, and airports, which can support military mobilization in times of crisis. The certainty of this policy shift ahead of a major NATO summit later this month has left some in the defense world bemused as to why the Prime Minister didn't make the announcement sooner. This decision underscores the UK's commitment to NATO and its role in maintaining international security.