The UK will purchase 12 nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets from the United States

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will announce plans to purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons from the United States at the upcoming NATO summit. This decision is aimed at strengthening the country's defense capability and increasing its contribution to the collective security of the alliance.

The fifth-generation F-35A fighters have advanced stealth technology, high maneuverability, and the ability to carry a wide range of weapons, including nuclear weapons. The purchase of these aircraft will allow the UK to modernize its fleet, replacing outdated models and increasing the level of deterrence of potential threats.

At the NATO summit, Prime Minister Starmer will call on the alliance's member states to increase their efforts to support collective defense and adapt to new security challenges, including growing tensions in various regions of the world. The United Kingdom is demonstrating an example of active participation in strengthening NATO's defense capabilities.

Great Britain is moving planes to the Middle East amid the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict

 

On June 14, 2025, the United Kingdom began deploying additional military aircraft, including Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and tanker aircraft, to the Middle East in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that these measures are aimed at providing "emergency support" to regional security and preparedness for unforeseen situations.

Starmer stressed that the UK is not yet involved in hostilities, but does not rule out the possibility of providing military assistance to Israel, as it already happened in October 2024, when the British Air Force helped intercept Iranian missiles and drones. Additional aircraft are taking off from both the UK and the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, where British forces are already deployed in operations against terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria.

The Prime Minister also called for a de-escalation of the conflict and stressed the need to stabilize the situation in the Middle East. At the same time, he noted that the situation is developing rapidly, and the government is closely monitoring the events.

The escalation began after Israel's large-scale Operation Rising Lion, during which the Israeli Air Force attacked Iran's nuclear and military facilities, including the elimination of high-ranking Iranian military and nuclear scientists. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of Operation True Promise 3, during which rocket attacks were launched against Israel.

Iran is also threatening to attack French, British and US military installations in the Middle East, which increases the risks of an expansion of the conflict. In this regard, the United Kingdom and the United States are strengthening their military presence in the region, deploying additional forces and air defense systems to protect their bases and allies.

NATO will force the UK to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP to meet the demands of the United States and Trump

Keir Starmer

Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, which will be held in June 2025, the UK will be forced to agree to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. This decision is part of a NATO initiative to strengthen the alliance's military power and is aimed at appeasing former US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized European allies for insufficient military budgets.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously stated his "ambition" to reach a level of 3% of GDP for defense, but did not give a firm commitment on time. Now, under pressure from NATO and taking into account the proposals of the alliance's Secretary General Mark Rutte, the UK will have to adopt a tougher target of 3.5% of GDP, as well as allocate an additional 1.5% for defense infrastructure, intelligence services and cybersecurity. Together, this will increase total defense spending to 5% of GDP.

Such an increase in spending will require a significant increase in the budget — by about 30 billion pounds annually, which is equivalent to an increase in the basic income tax rate by about 4 pence. This creates political tension in the government, as it is necessary to find a balance between defense financing and social programs.

Britain, traditionally considered one of the leaders of NATO in Europe, seeks to maintain its status, especially given the country's role in nuclear deterrence and military integration with its allies. However, experts note that achieving the goal of 3.5% of GDP is an ambitious task, given the economic realities and the political situation in a number of NATO member countries.

As part of the new defense strategy announced by Starmer, the UK plans to expand the production of submarines, modernize the army and aviation, and create a cyber command to counter daily cyber attacks. This will allow the country to become a "combat-ready, armored nation," ready to fend off threats from Russia and other potential adversaries..

The UK will build up to 12 new nuclear submarines and invest £15 billion in nuclear weapons

 

The UK government will announce a major defense review that plans to build up to 12 new SSN-AUKUS class nuclear attack submarines. These conventional-armed submarines will replace seven existing Astute-class submarines from the late 2030s. The new submarines will become a key element of modernizing the Navy and strengthening the country's combat readiness in the face of growing threats, including Russian aggression.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will stress the need for the armed forces to be on high alert to effectively contain the growing security challenges. In addition, as part of the program, the UK will allocate about 15 billion pounds for the development and production of nuclear warheads, which will be the largest investment in nuclear weapons since the end of the Cold War.

Defense Secretary John Healy noted that the new submarines will be equipped with modern technologies, which will significantly increase their combat potential. In addition to the submarine fleet, the review also focuses on the development of cybersecurity, digital technologies and the expansion of arms production.