Starmer: Wave of investments will make military an ‘integrated fighting machine’Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK is moving towards “war-fighting readiness” as he warned the world is facing the greatest instability it has for years.The prime minister outlined new defence measures — including extra attack submarines, £15 billion on nuclear warheads and thousands of new long-range weapons — to put Britain on war footing, after the government’s long-awaited strategic defence review concluded that the nation should be ready for war in Europe or the Atlantic.Speaking in Glasgow, Sir Keir said: “When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that we’re ready to deliver peace through strength.”He pledged to make the UK “a battle-ready, armour-clad nation”, insisting that “every part of society, every citizen of this country, has a role to play”. But questions remained about his plans to increase defence spending to the recommended level. The government will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product from April 2027 with an “ambition” – but no firm commitment – to increase it to 3% during the next parliament.I’m a former submariner – here’s what you need to know about Britain’s new nuclear fleetDuring the Cold War and for a short time following the collapse of the Soviet Empire, the United Kingdom had a fleet of submarines: the Strategic Deterrent, the Hunter Killer Fleet boats and the Diesel Submarine Flotillas.Yet post Cold War, political decisions were made on the assumption that we no longer needed such capable forces; the peace had been won.As the prime minister announces plans for 12 new nuclear-powered submarines, former submariner David Bessell warns the news comes a decade too late.Read the full comment here:Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 15:47Recap: What are the details of the PM’s new defence plans?On Monday, the government’s strategic defence review was launched.It concluded that the UK should be ready for war in Europe or the Atlantic – prompting Sir Keir Starmer to pledge further defence measures.In his speech on Monday morning, he said these would include:• Six new munition factories• Up to 12 new nuclear attack submarines.• £15bn of investment in the nuclear warhead programme.• Buying up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons.• More than £1.5 billion of additional funding to repair and renew armed forces housing.• Boosting weapons and equipment stockpiles and making sure there is capacity to scale up production if needed in a crisis or war.( More