Sunak sets 2.5% defence spending target at Integrated Review Refresh launch

Prime Minister to spell out how the UK will deal with challenges posed by Russia and China

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. AFP

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces how the UK will tackle new threats from Russia and China, protect the economy and compete at the cutting edge of technology to launch the Integrated Review Refresh in the US on Monday.

Mr Sunak will confirm plans to boost spending by £5 billion ($6 billion) in defence over the next two years, to help replenish and bolster ammunition stocks, modernise the UK’s nuclear enterprise and fund the next phase of the Aukus submarine programme.

It follows a £24 billion, four-year rise in defence spending in 2020, in the largest sustained increase since the Cold War.

Mr Sunak will also set out an ambition to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP in the longer term, with a review of defence spending after 2025 to take place after the Nato Summit in Lithuania this summer. He spoke to Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday to brief the Nato Secretary General on the plan and said the UK boost would maintain the UK as a cornerstone of the alliance.

"The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the UK's intention to remain a leading contributor to Nato, recognising the importance of continuing to invest in collective Euro-Atlantic security," a spokesman said. "Secretary-General Stoltenberg welcomed the valuable role of the United Kingdom as a staunch Nato ally.

“By investing in our armed forces for the long-term, we will be ready for the challenges of today and of the future.”

The Integrated Review Refresh was commissioned to respond to what are considered to be emerging threats, from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine to China’s economic coercion and increased competition between states.

Lord Dannatt, the former top British general, said the £5 billion was welcome but not enough to ensure the UK was a credible player. "The Government by coming up with £5billion has met a third of what most analysts believe we need to be spending on our defence to be credible both to play our part along with the Americans and the Australians," he said on Monday. "That is a big deal for the Prime Minister at the present moment with regard to the Indo-Pacific but also to play our full part in European security and that is the area I am still most concerned about."

The original Integrated Review identified an Indo-Pacific priority for the UK but the far-reaching consequences of the UK war has triggered a refresh of the framework.

The report identifies priorities to tackle those head-on.

Rishi Sunak through the years - in pictures

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images

Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images

Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images

Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images

Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images

Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images

Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images

On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images

King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images

Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street

Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA

Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images

At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images

Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images

With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images

Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images

Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images

At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images

With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images

Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images

Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury

Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images

Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images

Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury

Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images

With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP

Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images

Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images

A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP

Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury

Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury

With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images

Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images

The first is dealing with the fundamental risk posed to European security by Russia, and denying Moscow any benefit from its invasion of Ukraine.

“As the world becomes more volatile and competition between states becomes more intense, the UK must be ready to stand our ground,” Mr Sunak said.

“We have seen all too clearly in the last year how global crises impact us at home, with Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine driving up energy and food prices.

“We will fortify our national defences, from economic security to technology supply chains and intelligence expertise, to ensure we are never again vulnerable to the actions of a hostile power."

The Integrated Review Refresh also sets out how the UK government will adapt its approach on China to deal with the challenge presented by the country's military, financial and diplomatic activity.

It contains new measures to strengthen the UK’s economic security, technology capabilities and international development in the face of that challenge.

Mr Sunak has set the direction across government for a consistent, coherent and robust approach to China, rooted in the national interest and aligned with its allies.