Defence Investment Campaign

The Defence Pledge

Britain is now facing its gravest threats since the end of the Cold War. Russia has invaded Ukraine and threatened other democracies, interfering with elections and directing cyber attacks; it has even poisoned people in our cities. Putin will not relent; he sees Britain, perhaps more than any other country, as an absolute enemy. Meanwhile, extremists inspire terrorism in our islands and Houthi militants attack our shipping. Both Iran and North Korea are developing nuclear capabilities. And China is rearming at scale, threatening military conflict over Taiwan and the South China Sea which would engulf the Indo-Pacific, if not the entire world.

Our international trade routes, our energy supplies, the subsea cables on which our data and financial systems depend, are all now at greater risk than at any time this century. We are paying more for our food and energy; our future economic prosperity is at risk. Conflict and instability elsewhere threaten our borders and encourage dangerous people trafficking.

Ten years ago NATO allies agreed to spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence: Britain has met that target. Even combined with greater spending efficiency, this is no longer enough to protect all our interests at home, within NATO, and further overseas. Countries which wish us harm are growing stronger and more dangerous. To deter them and properly protect our interests, we need stronger armed forces, particularly a larger navy, better air defences, and enhanced cyber and space power.

Absent this investment, British interests could suffer defeat, making the disruption we have experienced in recent months look moderate. Due to the reductions to the size of the fleet, the loss of a warship against a swarm of drones would exhaust the Royal Navy’s ability to protect our vital trade routes. Our inability to muster sufficient forces to protect our allies may encourage hostile states such as Russia to invade them, sparking an international crisis. And the erosion of our position as NATO’s premier European military power would weaken our hand in Washington, Brussels and other capitals at a time when our leadership is needed more than ever.

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. We also call on political candidates, whether standing or prospective, to pledge their support. Defending our way of life demands nothing less.

Signatories