Healey Pledges to Meet US Demands for Higher Defence Funding and Stronger Security Leadership.

Britain’s defence spending is set to increase to 2.5 percent of GDP starting in April 2027, with a target of reaching 3 percent in the following Parliament.

Defence Secretary John Healey has committed to meeting the U.S. call for higher defence spending and increased leadership in Ukraine and European security.

“You challenged us to step up on Ukraine, on defence spending, on European security. And I say to you that we have, we are, and we will further. And last week, the British prime minister announced the biggest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, and we will go further,” stated Healey.

His meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth comes after the UK’s pledge to boost defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, aiming to reach 3 percent within the decade.

The encounter between Healey and Hegseth marked their first since Hegseth’s recent trip to Europe, where he cautioned that European nations should not rely on America’s presence indefinitely. U.S. President Donald Trump has consistently urged Europe to raise defence spending.

During a security summit in London with European leaders over the weekend, the UK continued strengthening ties following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Washington on Feb. 27.

“You saw that from Keir Starmer at the weekend, in the way that he is pulling the parties together, ensuring that we take Ukraine with us and work closely alongside the United States,” Healey noted.

Healey also confirmed plans to discuss ongoing talks with European nations and Ukraine in a meeting with Hegseth.

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