# UK defense preparedness and spending increases > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-defense-preparedness-and-spending-increases > Updated: 2026-10-03T18:11:42.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has identified Russia and President Vladimir Putin as the primary security threats, warning that the United Kingdom faces its highest risk of war in his lifetime. To address these imperialist ambitions, the government is implementing its largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War and accelerating parts of its civil defense program from 2035 to 2030. As part of a ‘whole society’ approach to national resilience, Streeting has urged citizens to maintain emergency supplies, such as food, water, and first aid kits, to prepare for potential crises including war, terrorism, or natural disasters. Following a defense ministers' summit in Iceland, Streeting expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for increased defense spending from the UK and European allies, stating Trump is ‘absolutely right’. While the UK maintains a ‘NATO first’ policy, Streeting emphasized the need for London to take more responsibility for European defense to meet potential military threats by 2030. The government currently faces internal debate regarding whether to fund these military capabilities by adjusting social welfare spending, as the Chancellor has yet to commit to a specific path toward the 3% GDP defense spending target. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-03: UK Defense Secretary supports Trump's calls for higher defense spending UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting supports Donald Trump’s calls for higher defense spending, stating Britain must prepare for potential conflict by 2030 to deter Russia. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-defense-secretary-supports-trumps-calls-for-higher-defense-spending ### 2026-09-27: UK Defence Secretary warns of rising war risks and urges citizen preparedness UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has warned of heightened war risks from Russia and urged citizens to stockpile cash, water, and food to increase national resilience against conflict and natural disasters. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-defense-minister-urges-citizens-to-prepare-for-war-and-natural-disasters --- Cite as: UK defense preparedness and spending increases. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-defense-preparedness-and-spending-increases