CHIEF of the UK Defence Staff Richard Knighton warned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the country’s defence budget deficit could reach $37.59 billion over the next four years, The Times newspaper reported, citing sources.
In December, the Financial Times newspaper reported that Starmer was refusing to approve the new Defence Investment Plan (DIP) due to its high cost.
Starmer was extremely dissatisfied, believing the new Strategic Defense Review had taken all costs into account, the report said on Thursday. The prime minister has reportedly ordered a review of the Defense Investment Plan, which will outline the implementation process for the Strategic Defence Review. The review was originally scheduled to be published before Christmas, but its publication may now be delayed until March, the report noted. — SPUTNIK