European countries need to respond to Donald Trump's call for increased defence spending, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard has said.
Speaking to GB News, Pollard emphasised that the UK is already leading by example with a substantial boost to its military budget.
"President Trump has challenged Europe to step up on defence. It's something that countries like the UK have been arguing for some time," he said.
The minister highlighted that Britain is increasing defence spending by £5billion extra for next year.
This investment will make "a substantial boost to keeping the UK and our allies safe, as well as creating jobs in all parts of the country," Pollard added.
The additional funding will be formally announced in today's Spring Statement.
"We are seeing European countries increasing their defence spending," Pollard said.
He pointed to a growing continental effort, noting that European nations are "coming together as part of the UK-led coalition of the willing effort to support our friends in Ukraine."
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The minister detailed how the new funding will be allocated to cutting-edge military technology.
"We're going to spend it on new advanced weapons, including directed energy weapons," Pollard explained.
This technology will be deployed more widely than previously planned.
"Making sure that we have this new technology, not just on one destroyer, as was previously planned, but now on four destroyers, able to shoot down missiles and drones threatening our warships," he said.
The minister concluded by emphasising the dual benefits of the UK's defence investments.
"We're investing in defence but we're spending it [in a way] that will not only support our national security but also support growth right across the country," Pollard said.
He added: "That's why the Americans are right to challenge European countries, to step up and to spend more.
"We know that Russia is a threat, not just to Ukraine, but to all our security."
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Speaking to GB News, Pollard emphasised that the UK is already leading by example with a substantial boost to its military budget.
"President Trump has challenged Europe to step up on defence. It's something that countries like the UK have been arguing for some time," he said.
The minister highlighted that Britain is increasing defence spending by £5billion extra for next year.
This investment will make "a substantial boost to keeping the UK and our allies safe, as well as creating jobs in all parts of the country," Pollard added.
The additional funding will be formally announced in today's Spring Statement.
"We are seeing European countries increasing their defence spending," Pollard said.
He pointed to a growing continental effort, noting that European nations are "coming together as part of the UK-led coalition of the willing effort to support our friends in Ukraine."
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The minister detailed how the new funding will be allocated to cutting-edge military technology.
"We're going to spend it on new advanced weapons, including directed energy weapons," Pollard explained.
This technology will be deployed more widely than previously planned.
"Making sure that we have this new technology, not just on one destroyer, as was previously planned, but now on four destroyers, able to shoot down missiles and drones threatening our warships," he said.
The minister concluded by emphasising the dual benefits of the UK's defence investments.
"We're investing in defence but we're spending it [in a way] that will not only support our national security but also support growth right across the country," Pollard said.
He added: "That's why the Americans are right to challenge European countries, to step up and to spend more.
"We know that Russia is a threat, not just to Ukraine, but to all our security."
Find Out More...