Cameron calls for Defence Review to tackle extremism threat
Following the commitment to spend two per cent of GDP on defence in the Summer Budget, Prime Minister David Cameron has called for a Defence Review to give particular consideration to tackling the threat of extremism.
Cameron has requested the UK’s defence chiefs and officials to consider investing more in Special Forces and readily deployable counter-terrorist capabilities as part of the defence review. This would involve future air surveillance (ISTAR) assets including more drones.
The Strategic Defence and Security Review will prioritise resources that will help to protect the UK from evolving threats, be that terrorism, extremism, or cyberspace. This follows the commitment to spend two per cent of GDP on defence – with the UK being one of only five nations to do so – and the NATO Wales Summit pledge.
Cameron said: “As Prime Minister, I will always put the national security of our country first. 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.”
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