Former Defence Leaders Issue Dire Warning to Prime Minister
Britain's armed forces have been "hollowed out by years of chronic underfunding", according to a stark open letter signed by three former defence secretaries, retired senior military chiefs, and former MI6 head Sir Richard Dearlove. The letter, published in The Daily Telegraph, warns that the UK faces a "1936 moment" amid rising global tensions and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Urgent Call for 5% GDP Defence Spending
The signatories are calling for defence spending to reach 5 per cent of GDP, a significant increase from Sir Keir Starmer's current pledge to raise it to 2.5 per cent next year and 3 per cent after the next election. "Our actions fall dangerously short of matching this rhetoric and of meeting our treaty obligations," the letter states. "We are deluding ourselves if we believe Russia and our other adversaries are unaware of this."
Government Faces £28 Billion Defence Shortfall
In January, Downing Street refused to deny reports that the Ministry of Defence faces a shortfall of up to £28 billion over the coming years. The letter highlights this gap, noting it is equivalent to nearly half the MoD's annual budget and threatens to leave forces "under-equipped and overstretched" when readiness is paramount. The Government has yet to publish its delayed defence investment plan, with the prime minister's spokesman insisting the MoD is working "flat out" to deliver it.
Signatories Include Prominent Defence Figures
The letter's signatories include:
- Former defence secretaries Sir Ben Wallace, Sir Grant Shapps, and Sir Michael Fallon
- General Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff
- Admiral Lord West, former First Sea Lord
- Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6
They accuse the Government of heaping "unfunded new costs" onto the MoD, citing the Chagos Islands deal, pay rises, and potential compensation for an Afghan data leak.
Starmer's Defence Commitments Under Scrutiny
In June 2025, Sir Keir pledged to meet NATO's target to spend 5 per cent of GDP on national security by 2035, with 3.5 per cent on "core defence" and 1.5 per cent on "resilience and security". Recent BBC reports suggest the Prime Minister is considering bringing forward the 3 per cent target to 2029. When asked about this, Sir Keir did not confirm but emphasized that Europe needs to "step up when it comes to defence and security."
Government Response and Future Outlook
A Government spokesperson defended the administration's record, stating: "We are delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, with an additional £5 billion this financial year alone and £270 billion across this Parliament." They added that this ensures "no return to the hollowed out armed forces of the past" and highlighted pay rises and housing strategies for military personnel.
The letter concludes with a dire warning: "You must recognise that we are facing our 1936 moment: global conflict is highly likely if we don't invest in deterrence now." This urgent plea underscores the growing pressure on the Government to address defence funding amid escalating global threats.
