Former defence ministers and military experts have raised alarm over the UK’s current inability to defend itself from potential attacks, citing underinvestment in defence capabilities and a lack of preparedness. The concerns come amid heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over the future of NATO’s collective security framework, particularly following controversial remarks by former US President Donald Trump about weakening America’s commitment to the alliance.
While much of the recent political discourse has focused on NATO’s Article 5, which mandates collective defence among member states, less attention has been paid to Article 3. This clause requires NATO members to “maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.” In essence, member states must first be capable of defending themselves before relying on the alliance for support.
Defence figures argue that the UK is falling short of this obligation. They point to years of underfunding, outdated equipment, and a shrinking military as evidence of the country’s vulnerability. Despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent announcement to accelerate plans to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, with an ambition to reach 3 per cent in the next parliament, critics warn that these measures may be too little, too late.
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