Britain’s former military chief General Lord Nick Houghton has warned that the UK government is “living a lie” over the true cost and affordability of its defense program, The Independent reported on Tuesday.
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When asked by BBC’s Radio 4 program if he thinks the UK should increase its defense spending from the NATO target of two percent of GDP to three percent, he stressed that factors unrelated to the military need to be considered.
“It’s not just what the armed forces needs, it’s what the country needs. The government now finds itself in a very difficult situation. It does have a defense program which is currently wholly unaffordable within the available funding,” General Lord Nick Houghton said.
“Do we increase the defense budget to make this ambition affordable, or do we actually diminish ourselves in terms of our status as a military power?”
Regarding Prime Minister Theresa May’s pledge to increase funding to the NHS, after years of dwindling performance and being overstretched, the former head of Britain’s armed forces said that such spending could help her party gain a “tactical advantage in domestic elections,” but wouldn’t bolster the UK’s global power and influence.
“For me it’s quite remarkable. What is being promised to the health service as an increment is more than twice the annual defense budget. More funding for health can win you — dare I say it — tactical advantage in domestic elections, but won't enhance Britain’s influence, power and respect in the world.”
The Trump administration has long pressured European states to contribute more to NATO, with most EU countries not meeting the military bloc’s defense spending target of two percent of GDP.
Although the UK is already meeting the aforementioned spending target, the US has reportedly urged Britain to contribute more to set an example for the rest of Europe.
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