Today, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce a military investment program considered as the largest since the end of the Cold War.
Johnson will detail before the House of Commons the injection of additional funding for military affairs of 16.5 billion pounds ($ 22 billion) over the next four years.
The announcement comes after the Conservative Party pledged, in its election manifesto last year, to increase defense spending by 0.5 percent through 2025.
Johnson’s office said the financial support “strengthens the UK’s position as the largest defense spender in Europe and the second in NATO.”
Johnson is moving forward with this commitment despite the historic recession that hit the British economy this year due to the Coronavirus crisis, which prompted the government to spend unprecedented amount of money to support individuals and companies.
“I have taken this decision in the teeth of the pandemic because the defense of the realm must come first,” Johnson will say, according to extracts from his speech.
He added: “This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our armed forces, bolster our global influence, unite and level up our country, pioneer new technology and defend our people and way of life.”
The increase in military spending in Britain, which will total 24.1 billion pounds over four years, comes at a pivotal moment for the country.
After leaving the European Union formally in January, Britain ends the transition phase at the end of the year to start a new era in international relations and trade.
Johnson will also announce the creation of a new agency dealing with artificial intelligence, the establishment of a national cyber force and a “space command” that will be able to launch its first missile by 2022.
6 billion pounds will be spent on military research and development, including modernization of air warfare systems.
