Cameron aims to increase UK spending on military drones
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Loading... - J. Oliveira
- 14 Jul 2020
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Prime Minister David Cameron has said he would like to see defence spending on drones increased in a review due to take place this autumn.
Increased spending on drones would come as part of a wider expansion of the UK's counter-terrorist capabilities. Specifically, Cameron has reportedly said that he would like the review to explore how the UK can work more closely with partners like the US to make drones more easily usable with aircraft carriers.
Following the commitment in last week's budget to spend 2 percent of the country's GDP on defence, the Prime Minister, outlined several spending areas he hoped the review would focus on.
"As Prime Minister, I will always put the national security of our country first. That’s why it is right that we spend 2 percent of our GDP on defence because this investment helps to keep us safe. It has only been possible because of the difficult decisions we have made to ensure a strong and secure economy," said Cameron in a statement, ahead of a visit to RAF Waddington where drone missions in Syria and Iraq are flown.
He wants the review to give particular consideration to tackling the threat of extremism and investing more in special forces, ahead of what some are expecting to be a renewed push for more concrete action in Syria.
Also on the list is dealing with the threat posed by an increasingly bold Russia. Cameron acknowledged that evolving threats are likely to come from cyberspace.
"Now we know how much we will spend, what matters next is how we spend it. I have tasked the Defence and Security Chiefs to look specifically at how we do more to counter the threat posed by ISIL and Islamist extremism. This could include more spy planes, drones and Special Forces. In the last 5 years, I have seen just how vital these assets are in keeping us safe.
