All political parties must commit to 2.5% on defence spending, former military chiefs warn
A group of former military chiefs and senior MPs has urged all political parties to commit to increasing defence spending in their upcoming manifestos.
They said in an open letter that the parties need to increase the defence budget to at least 2.5% of GDP, rising to 3% by the end of the decade.
They warned that without investment British interests could suffer defeat, saying the UK faces its "gravest threats since the Cold War".
"We therefore urge all political parties to commit in their manifestos this year to invest in real terms at least 2.5% of GDP on defence in each year of the next Parliament with a longer-term commitment to reach 3% by 2030," the group said.
The open letter, described as The Defence Pledge, was published by the Council on Geostrategy.
The think tank is made up of former defence secretaries including Sir Michael Fallon, who held the position from 2014 to 2017, Lord Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup, a former head of the military, and James Heappey, who served as an Armed Forces minister until last week.
The open letter went on to read: "We also call on political candidates, whether standing or prospective, to pledge their support. Defending our way of life demands nothing less."
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has called for defence spending to rise to 3% of GDP.
This marks a step up from the Government's previous target of 2.5%, which Mr Shapps said would be possible "when conditions allow".
UK spending on defence is currently around 2.2% of GDP.
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