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UK launches armed forces review amid ‘deadly quartet’ of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea
- The review will set out a path to increasing defence spending from 2.26 per cent of GDP last year to 2.5 per cent
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![Prime Minister Keir Starmer ordered the review less than a week after he returned from a Nato summit in Washington, where he reaffirmed the Britain’s support for Nato. Photo: AP](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/16/176f9e0c-2f10-4028-8c7f-ae80ea0c8912_4a97a98b.jpg?itok=AeITxyUl&v=1721129864)
Britain on Tuesday launched a review of its armed forces, with the former Nato chief leading the evaluation warning the world faces a “deadly quartet” of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
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The assessment, ordered by Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer less than a week after he returned from a Nato summit, will set out a path to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
The defence ministry said the strategic defence review would begin work “immediately in recognition of the urgency of the threats facing the UK”, and aim to deliver a report in the first half of next year.
UK spending on defence last year stood at 2.26 per cent, according to latest official figures, while Poland spent 3.83 per cent, the United States 3.36 per cent and France 2.06 per cent.
![Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) look on as US President Joe Biden speaks. Photo: dpa Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) look on as US President Joe Biden speaks. Photo: dpa](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/16/1df3e2c5-a5d2-438c-8d1c-aae290eae2d6_fe607fc9.jpg)
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