Keir Starmer announced a commitment to increase UK's defense spending by £13.4 billion by 2027, aiming for 3% of GDP by the next parliament. The House of Lords defense committee highlights that past underinvestment has weakened UK defenses, particularly in air defense. Starmer emphasizes transforming defense spending into growth, jobs, and innovation. However, the UK's potential shift from replacing aging RAF Typhoons with American F-35 jets threatens British job promises, with studies showing that more local jobs could be secured through Typhoon procurement.
The commitment to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP highlights the urgent need to rectify decades of underinvestment affecting the UK's security and defence capabilities.
Replacing British RAF Typhoons with American F-35s would undermine promises of boosting British jobs and skills, as local manufacturing supports thousands compared to minimal American jets contracts.
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