Rishi Sunak commits to  £11BN boost to defence spending as 'next generation' fighter jets unveiled

WATCH THE KING'S SPEECH IN FULL: 

He confirmed the previously announced plan to boost UK Defence spending from two per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent, a boost that amounts to £11.3 billion.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, former Chair of the Defence Select Committee, told GB News the announcement was "overdue as our world turns a dark corner".

Giving an introduction to the King's speech, which was heavily focused on protecting the public through crime prevention and national security, Sunak said: "We are protecting our national interests by backing our brilliant Armed Forces, supporting Ukraine, leading in NATO, and striving for peace and stability in the Middle East.

"In every area, we are looking to the long term, making the difficult decisions needed and changing things for the better.

"Together we will make our country more prosperous, more innovative, and more secure, ready to seize the better future that the British people deserve."

Delivering a speech to Parliament, King Charles III said: "My Government will continue to champion security around the world, to invest in our gallant Armed Forces and to support veterans to whom so much is owed. My ministers will work closely with international partners to support Ukraine, strengthen NATO and address the most pressing security challenges.

"This includes the consequences of the barbaric acts of terrorism against the people of Israel, facilitating humanitarian support into Gaza and supporting the cause of peace and stability in the Middle East."

In an introduction to the speech, the PM promised to "strengthen" the UK's role as a "leading NATO ally" in order to "keep our people safe and protect our interests".

Sunak said: "We will continue to invest in our Armed Forces - the finest in the world - ensuring that they have what they need to protect our country and keep people safe, while also supporting our fantastic veterans.

"We will continue to work with our international partners on the most pressing crises - supporting Ukraine to prevail against Putin's war of aggression, supporting Israel's right to self-defence after Hamas's horrific act of terror, delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and working to revive the prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East.

"We recognise that we live in a more dangerous world - and that we must shape our response accordingly. That's why I set out a far-sighted plan earlier this year with the refresh of the Integrated Review of Foreign and security policy.

"In the 21st century, I believe we must look beyond the traditional concept of national security to keep our people safe and protect our interests. We must also be robust in protecting our economic security, our energy security, the openness of the trade routes we need, our strong alliances, and our ability to anticipate new threats.

"We're investing in all of these areas."

He added: "We are going beyond our baseline commitment to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence with a new ambition of 2.5 per cent. If anyone thinks we are no longer able to wield hard power in defence of our values, just ask the Ukrainian soldiers driving British tanks of training with our troops.

"We are strengthening our role as a leading NATO ally, and building up our defence industrial base, together with our closest allies.

"With Japan and Italy, we're building the next generation of combat air fighter jets.

"And through our AUKUS partnership with the US and Australia, we're developing one of the most advanced nuclear-powered subs the world has ever known."