Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with his United Kingdom counterpart, Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps, to discuss UK Prime Minister Sunak's announcement of £500 million in military funding to Ukraine and his intent to rapidly deliver the UK's largest package of key capabilities and additional munitions to Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022.
Secretary Shapps said that that the UK will also increase its defense spending from 2.3% to 2.5% by 2030. Secretary Austin lauded the news and the leaders agreed that increased defense spending allows for meaningful investments in modernization and the defense industrial base.
Both leaders expressed appreciation for the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the U.S. National Security Supplemental and look forward to the Senate vote. Secretary Austin reiterated that the bill is essential to advancing the security interests of the United States, our partners, and allies.
Secretary Austin and Secretary Shapps concluded the call by thanking each other for the close coordination on air defense of Israel earlier this month and conferring on efforts to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.
