Rishi Sunak Refuses to Commit to 3% Defence Spending, Igniting Conservative Party Row

Strategic Insights -

Rishi Sunak's refusal to commit to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP in the autumn statement has put him at odds with defence hawks in his own Conservative Party, particularly at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. Despite his predecessor Liz Truss's pledge to meet the 3% target, Sunak dismissed warnings that stepping back would be seen as a sign of weakness by Vladimir Putin. Instead, he emphasized the UK's current defence spending of 2.1% of GDP and its historic track record of being a strong investor in defence. The prime minister announced a new £4.2bn contract to BAE Systems to build five more warships, claiming it would bolster the UK's ability to counter Russian aggression.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rishi Sunak refused to commit to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP in the autumn statement, despite previous pledges by his predecessors Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.
  • The 3% target was estimated to cost £20bn-£25bn in real terms, which was a concern for chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who is seeking to find savings and tax rises totalling up to £60bn.
  • Sunak emphasized the UK's current defence spending of 2.1% of GDP and its historic track record of being a strong investor in defence, but defence hawks in the party warned that this would send a "weak signal" to Moscow.
  • The UK has provided "significant financial and military assistance" to Ukraine, including 1,000 air defence missiles and training for Ukrainian troops, which Sunak claimed was a tangible action of his "unequivocal condemnation" of Russia.
  • The new £4.2bn contract to BAE Systems to build five more warships was touted as a key example of the UK's commitment to defence spending and its ability to counter Russian aggression.
  • British warships, including the advanced Type 26 frigates, will play a crucial role in protecting the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.

Statistics:

  • £4.2bn: The value of the new contract to BAE Systems to build five more warships.
  • 2.1%: The current defence spending of the UK as a percentage of GDP.
  • £20bn-£25bn: The estimated cost of meeting the 3% defence spending target in real terms.
  • £60bn: The total amount of savings and tax rises sought by chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
  • 1,000: The number of air defence missiles announced for Ukraine.
  • 3: The number of warships currently under construction as part of the Type 26 programme.

Sources:

  • "Prime minister Rishi Sunak has set himself on a collision course with defence hawks in his own Conservative Party by refusing to commit to increasing spending on the military to 3 per cent of GDP in this week's autumn statement." (The Telegraph)
  • "The PM announced the award of a new £4.2bn contract to BAE Systems to build five more warships for the Royal Navy, in a move he said would bolster the UK's ability to counter Russian aggression." (BBC News)
  • "A hike to 3 per cent would cost £20bn-£25bn in real terms, at a time when chancellor Jeremy Hunt is trying to find savings and tax rises totalling up to £60bn in Thursday's statement." (The Times)
  • "The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, had hinted he might treat any backsliding on the pledge as a resigning matter but last week indicated he was not seeking a fight on the issue, saying he would take it 'Budget by Budget'." (The Guardian)