Britain said Tuesday it will review its military strategy to ensure it is prepared for what officials called a “deadly quartet” that includes China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.
“We live in a more dangerous and volatile world,” new Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. “My government will forge a new clear-eyed approach to our national defenses, equipping us to tackle international threats head-on while keeping the British people safe and secure.”
Former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson is leading the review. Fiona Hill, a former U.S. presidential adviser, and General Richard Barrons, a former director of operations for the U.K. armed forces, are assisting in the effort.
The announcement comes a week after a NATO summit where leaders highlighted concerns about China, Iran and Russia.
Starmer Tuesday reiterated a commitment to increase Britain’s defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, up from its current level of about 2.3%.
A report from the review is scheduled for the first half of next year.
“Hollowed-out armed forces, procurement waste and neglected morale cannot continue,” British Defense Secretary John Healey said in a statement. “Meanwhile, we need to be clear eyed about the threats we face, with the world becoming more volatile and technology changing the nature of warfare.”
Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
