Britain will spend 3% of its GDP on defense by 2034, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed, marking the largest sustained increase in military funding since the Cold War.

In an interview with The Times, Healey declared that the defense target was no longer an “ambition” but a certainty under the next parliament. He stressed the need for long-term investment to meet growing security challenges, noting that "a decade of rising defense spending" would enable strategic planning.

The shift in tone came just days before the UK’s new strategic defense review is set to be released—a 130-page document described as “transformative,” and embedded with input from U.S., French, and German military planners.

Addressing Capability and Readiness Gaps

The plan will inject over £10 billion annually into defense, essential to modernizing the armed forces amid fears of a potential future war with Russia. Military sources said without meeting the 3% target, many planned upgrades—including the Tempest fighter program—would lack funding.

Healey also confirmed there would be no personnel cuts. Instead, £1.5 billion will be allocated to fix substandard military housing to improve recruitment and retention.

NATO Pressure and Fiscal Reality

The UK currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defense. While the government had already promised to hit 2.5% by 2027, Trump administration officials have pushed Britain to hit 3% within the next parliamentary term. NATO may raise its own target to 3.5% at the upcoming June summit.

Though the Treasury has pushed back over affordability, Healey’s public stance could box the government into a long-term fiscal commitment.

Strategic Vision Over Showpieces

Healey avoided showcasing high-tech weaponry in favor of focusing on troop welfare and infrastructure. “Our forces make extraordinary sacrifices,” he said during a visit to RAF Wittering. “For years, we’ve forced their families to live in substandard homes. That ends now.”

Army Chief Sir Roly Walker added, “The biggest challenge we face is a lack of time,” underscoring urgency to prepare forces for high-end conflict.