UK announces biggest defense spending increase since WW 2
(VOVWORLD) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced the UK’s biggest increase in defense spending since the Cold War in a bid to restore Britain’s supreme naval power.
 Newly built aircraft carrier of the British Navy (Photo: The Guardian) |
Mr. Johnson said the UK’s “era of retreat” has ended and the government will spend some 32 billion USD on its military in the next 4 years, 21 billion more than previously pledged. This means the UK’s defense expenditure in coming years will account for 2.2 percent of national GDP, giving the UK the largest defense budget in Europe and the second largest in NATO after the US.
Prime Minister Johnson said the UK will build 12 new destroyers and develop a new generation of warships, restoring its position as Europe’s most powerful navy.