U.S. Officials Urge Britain to Increase Military Spending

U.S. officials told British leaders they must increase military strength with urgency, scale, and determination. The statement came after two ministers resigned over the government's defence spending plan. The resignations followed release of the Defence Investment Plan, which allocated £13.5 billion over four years.

Military chiefs had requested around £28 billion, while Whitehall officials sought about £18 billion.

The outgoing defence secretary said in a resignation letter that the prime minister was unable to secure adequate funding from the chancellor. The letter stated that only £10 billion of the plan represented new money, with the remaining £3.5 billion expected to come from efficiency savings.

The outgoing minister also noted that much of the extra funding was scheduled for later years rather than immediate needs.

U.S. under-secretary of war Elbridge Colby posted on X that Britain has an extraordinarily proud military history and that there is again a great need for more British military strength. The prime minister said defence spending remains a priority and that difficult decisions had been taken to keep the country safe.

Downing Street stated the Defence Investment Plan is still being finalised. New defence secretary Dan Jarvis met the chief of the defence staff and the prime minister for talks on Friday morning.