US EditionTwo Top European Commanders Warn ‘Hard Choices’ Needed From Public on Arms Spending to Deter Russia
Germany and the UK call for a whole-of-society defense effort as NATO aims for 5% GDP spending by 2035 amid rising risks from Russia, polling shows low public support.
- Germany's Gen. Carsten Breuer and Britain's Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton published a joint article urging Europeans to accept `hard choices` on defence spending in The Guardian and Die Welt.
- Amid debates at the Munich Security Conference, chiefs warned that growing threats demand a `step change` in defence and argued defence cannot be left to uniformed personnel alone.
- At the national level, Britain will deploy an HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group this year and is building six new munitions factories, while Germany is repositioning troops near its eastern border.
- Only about 25% of Britons support higher taxes or cuts to fund defence, and the chiefs said persuading a sceptical public will be tough, despite the `whole-of-society approach`.
- With Europe having doubled defence spending over the past decade, NATO leaders have pledged to reach 5% of GDP on defence by 2035, framing rearmament as responsible rather than warmongering.
12 Articles
12 Articles
UK, German defense officials defend military buildup under Russian threats
The British and German Defense chiefs contend that military buildup is necessary to protect Europe from potential Russian aggression.They pointed to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war."Moscow’s military buildup, combined with its willingness to wage war on our continent, as painfully evidenced in Ukraine, represents an increased risk that demands our collective attention," they declared in an opinion piece published by The Guardian.RUBIO SEALS CIVIL…
Two top European commanders warn ‘hard choices’ needed from public on arms spending to deter Russia
Defense chiefs from two major European powers have issued a rare public plea for people across Europe to support big boosts in defense spending to deter a possible war with an increasingly westward-looking Russia.
The highest military commanders in the UK and Germany launched a common call for speeding up Europe's reconstruction, warning that Russia's military position "has moved decisively to the west" and that "a radical change" is needed in...
Top military officials in Germany and Britain defend increased defense spending in response to security threats
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