Sir Keir Starmer plans to commit to purchasing additional attack submarines and prepare the military for potential conflict as part of a significant defence review, though he won’t announce any new funding initiatives.
The absence of increased financial support has already drawn criticism towards the prime minister, highlighting the lack of substance behind the forthcoming armed forces strategy set to be unveiled on Monday.
Defence Secretary John Healey was compelled to clarify that while he is “confident” the government aims to increase the defence budget to 3% of national income by 2034, he does not possess a firm assurance from the Treasury, labeling it merely an “aspiration”.
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According to Sky News, the Strategic Defence Review is anticipated to emphasize the urgency of revitalizing national defense and resilience, necessitating investment to escalate to at least that level.
Defence insiders believe that given the perceived threat from adversarial nations like Russia, funding should be increased even more swiftly and at higher levels.
Donald Trump has urged NATO allies in Washington to allocate 5% of their GDP for military expenditures, while Mark Rutte, NATO’s chief, is advocating for a 3.5% target by 2032.
“The main takeaway is that Healey hasn’t secured the funds,” remarked one source.
A second source warned that the UK risks losing its leadership position in NATO if it does not support any emerging 3.5% GDP spending target.
Remarkably, the government disclosed responses from Sir Keir and the defence secretary to the review just hours before the public was granted an opportunity to examine the details.
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The document, estimated to be around 130 to 150 pages long, diverges from past reviews as it is spearheaded by external experts rather than conducted internally.
In an official statement, the government committed to “a significant transformation in our deterrence and defence strategy, transitioning to warfighting readiness to counter threats and reinforce security in the Euro-Atlantic region”.
The prime minister is also expected to unveil the UK’s intention to acquire “up to” 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines in collaboration with Australia and the US through the AUKUS partnership.
However, the primary aspect of this announcement is merely additional clarity regarding the fleet’s size.
The previous administration had already pledged to commence replacement of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines by the late 2030s with AUKUS vessels.
PM Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey aboard a nuclear submarine. Pic: Crown Copyright 2025
“It’s essentially information we’re already aware of… presented in a different format,” stated a defence industry insider.
Moreover, the existing fleet isn’t yet fully operational—almost 30 years following the initial order.
The UK’s nuclear deterrent, which is deployed on a different class of submarine, will also feature prominently in the review.
For the first time, the prime minister has specified the expenses associated with developing nuclear warheads for the Trident missiles that will be utilized by a new fleet of nuclear-armed submarines, which are also in production.
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He indicated that the UK is allocating £15bn throughout this parliament for this initiative.
This investment, alongside the expansion of submarine construction, is expected to support 30,000 highly-skilled jobs nationwide, as per a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
“From the supply lines to the front lines, this government is fully behind the individuals safeguarding our nation’s freedom and security,” the prime minister is expected to declare.
“National security is the cornerstone of my Plan for Change, and this strategy will guarantee Britain remains secure domestically and is robust internationally.
“This Strategic Defence Review will ensure the UK is prepared for challenges and that our Armed Forces have the necessary equipment to keep us safe at home while promoting greater opportunities for our engineers, shipbuilders, and technicians in the future.”
James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, criticized the government for not providing a definitive timeline for increasing defence expenditure to 3% of national income.
“All of Labour’s Strategic Defence Review claims will be met with skepticism unless they can demonstrate that sufficient funding will be available,” he remarked.
This sentiment was echoed by the Liberal Democrats.
“Unless Labour commits to initiating cross-party discussions on how to attain 3% much sooner than the mid-2030s, this announcement risks becoming a mere formality,” warned Helen Maguire, the party’s defence spokesperson.