LONDON: Labour MP and Chair of the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, has called for urgent and sustained investment in Britain’s Armed Forces, warning that the country must recognise emerging security threats and act before it is too late.
In a recent social-media post, Dhesi stressed that it is “imperative to properly invest” in the Armed Forces. Referring to the changing security environment in Europe, he said European allies had accelerated their defence spending and argued that the UK must similarly take decisive action rather than risk regretting delays in the future.
Dhesi’s intervention comes amid an intensifying debate in Britain over the country’s defence budget and the pace at which the government should increase military spending. Earlier this month, he pressed Prime Minister Andy Burnham for a clear pathway towards spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, arguing that the growing threat environment required immediate action.
The Slough MP has increasingly placed defence preparedness at the centre of his parliamentary work. UK Parliament records show that Dhesi has recently intervened on the Defence Investment Plan, the Armed Forces Bill and the level of threat posed by Russia.
His latest comments also reflect a broader European security shift. NATO says European allies and Canada increased combined defence expenditure by nearly 20% in real terms in 2025 compared with 2024. Under the agreement reached at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, allies committed to reaching 5% of GDP in defence-related investment by 2035, including at least 3.5% for core defence requirements.
Dhesi’s argument is that increased spending cannot simply be treated as a long-term aspiration. Britain must ensure that investment translates into stronger military capabilities, modern equipment, technological innovation and the ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats.
The debate has become particularly significant as European governments reassess their defence capabilities following Russia’s war in Ukraine and growing uncertainty over the future role of the United States in European security. The UK government’s own Defence Investment Plan has highlighted the changing nature of warfare, including the growing importance of drones, artificial intelligence, innovation and the ability to produce military equipment rapidly at scale.
Dhesi’s message therefore represents a broader warning: national security cannot be based on intentions alone. It requires resources, preparedness and sustained investment. With European allies already increasing defence expenditure, he is urging Britain to ensure that it is not left behind when the security environment is changing rapidly.
The MP’s latest intervention reinforces his position that “rather than be sorry later,” Britain must recognise the threats facing the country today and strengthen its Armed Forces before a crisis forces it to do so.