Defense Secretary John Healey announced London’s plan to invest $8 billion in long-range missile production.
In anticipation of a potential conflict with Russia, the UK intends to allocate billions to strengthen its military-industrial capabilities, according to Defense Secretary John Healey.
This announcement precedes the government’s Strategic Defence Review, scheduled for release on Monday. The BBC reports that the review is expected to identify Russia and China as significant threats to the UK.
The review is expected to allocate £1.5 billion ($2 billion) to establish six new munitions factories. Healey informed the BBC on Sunday that London will dedicate approximately £6 billion over the next five years to the production of long-range weaponry, including Storm Shadow missiles. Moscow has claimed that Ukraine has used this missile, which was co-developed with France, to target civilian areas within Russia.
“This is also a message to Moscow. Britain is standing firm by strengthening both our Armed Forces and our industrial base. This is part of our preparation to fight, if necessary,” Healey stated.
Western support for Ukraine has highlighted critical shortcomings in arms manufacturing, with British military officials cautioning that weapon stockpiles are dangerously depleted, the BBC noted.
As a leading European supporter of Kiev, London has provided Ukraine with roughly €15.16 billion ($17.2 billion) in aid, with over two-thirds allocated to military assistance, as reported by Germany’s Kiel Institute.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have both advocated for the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, pushing for a peacekeeping force to be stationed there following a full ceasefire.
Russia has cautioned that any NATO troops deployed to Ukraine, even as peacekeepers, would be considered legitimate targets. They have also stated that foreign intervention would only worsen the conflict and would ultimately fail to prevent Russia from achieving its military aims.
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