Britain to build billion-pound weapons works as Starmer calls for war readiness - Reuters

Britain to build billion-pound weapons works as Starmer calls for war readiness - Reuters

In a significant move to bolster its military capabilities, the British government has announced a £1.5 billion ($2.0 billion) plan to build at least six new weapons and explosives factories. This initiative, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, comes amidst growing concerns over the security threats posed by states with advanced military forces, particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Starmer's warning, published in The Sun on Sunday, underscores the urgency of preparing Britain for potential conflicts. He cited Russia's cooperation with Iran and North Korea as examples of the direct threats the UK faces. The government's munitions investment programme, announced by Defence Minister John Healey, aims to procure up to 7,000 long-range weapons, with the extra investment bringing Britain's total munitions spending to around £6 billion during the current parliament [1].

The Strategic Defence Review, commissioned by Starmer's Labour government, will outline the threats Britain faces and the military equipment needed to counter them. The review is expected to be published soon and will provide a comprehensive assessment of the UK's military capabilities. Starmer has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and targeting a 3% level over the longer term.

Additionally, the government has already announced a £1 billion investment in Artificial Intelligence to enhance battlefield decision-making and a separate £1.5 billion commitment to improve housing for the country's armed forces. These initiatives aim to address the poor state of housing and bolster the UK's defence industry, which has historically been underinvested [2].

The move to build new munitions factories is part of a broader strategy to deter enemies and enhance the UK's security. The government plans to create an "always on" production capacity to meet increased demand, addressing the chronic underinvestment in the UK's defence industry. The new factories are expected to be built by private defence companies, with the Ministry of Defence declining to specify which companies will be involved.

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L2N3S401K:0-britain-to-build-billion-pound-weapons-works-as-starmer-calls-for-war-readiness/
[2] https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/britain-starmer
[3] https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3312625/uk-go-munitions-factory-building-spree-deter-enemies