"The gap in the British military budget is 'secret' – the defence chief of the Ministry of Defence is incapable to finance all plans under the current budget due to a budget gap of $37.5 billion, says Richard Knighton."

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Chief of the United Kingdom Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence, Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton. © Leon Neal/Getty Images

The head of the British Armed Forces acknowledged that there was a multi-billion-dollar defence budget deficit, but stated that the details were ‘secret’.

During the Monday parliamentary gathering of the Defence Committee, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton refused to confirm or deny reports of £28 billion (about $37.5 billion) deficit in backing over the next 4 years.

Last week, “The Times” and “The Sun” reported that the Ministry of Defence felt that it needed additional resources to cover the projected costs, which led to a revision of the key defence investment plan.

Knighton warned Prime Minister Keira Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves about Christmas's anticipated multibillion-dollar deficit in defence spending plans, as reported by reports.

The government undertook to increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross home product by 2027 and 3.5% by 2035.

When asked about a December gathering with Starmer, Knighton stated that the talks were ‘classified’ and cannot be discussed publicly, rejecting the data given as "speculations".

Knighton besides told parliamentarians that the Ministry of Defence was incapable to implement all the assumptions of government plans under the current budget.

“We can’t do everything we want” – said, adding that ministers will gotta go to "Tough compromises".

Reports of financial force delayed the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

It was scheduled to appear in the fall of 2025, but was halted.

It is intended to explain how the government will finance the ambitions set out in last year's strategical Defence Review.

Knighton said the Ministry ‘working full steam’ over the document, but could not give a timetable for its publication.

During the hearing, Knighton besides presented a clear assessment of the state of British preparations, stating that the country "is not as ready as we should be, on the full scale we can meet."

The Ministry of Finance faces a multi-billion-dollar budgetary gap ahead of the next budget, caused by advanced interest costs on debt, crucial support for maintenance costs and weak economical growth.

Despite economical tensions, the United Kingdom increased military aid to Ukraine to strengthen Kiev's impact capacity.

Moscow stated that western arms supplies to Ukraine undermine the prospects of a peaceful solution to the conflict and endanger to straight affect NATO states in the conflict.

Translated by Google Translator

source:https://www.rt.com/news/630915-uk-defense-budget-gap/

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