A group of former defense and military chiefs and senior MPs have urged all political parties to commit in their election manifestos to increasing defense spending to at least 2.5% of GDP and to 3% by the end of this decade.

They warned that without such investment “British interests could suffer failure” and said the UK faced “the most serious threats since the Cold War”, including from Russia, China and Iran.

“We therefore urge all political parties to commit in this year’s manifestos to real-term investment of at least 2.5% of GDP in defense Long-term commitments will be made every year by the next parliament to reach 3% by 2030,” the group said in “Defense Commitments” released on Tuesday by the Geostrategy Council, a think tank.

“We also call on political candidates, current and future, to pledge their support. Defending our way of life is paramount.”

Rishi Sunak’s The government has pledged to increase defense spending to 2.5% of national income from just over 2% “as soon as economic conditions permit”, but the lack of a clear timeline has sparked an outcry within the party.

labor No targets have been specified, but shadow defense secretary John Healey said the party “will always spend what is needed to defend the country”. He also reminded voters that when Labor left office in 2010, defense spending was last at 2.5 per cent.

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this liberal democrats There was also no commitment to a defense spending target, but a policy released last September vowed to reverse “the government’s ill-advised military cuts”. Such a move requires funding.

Signatories to the cross-party defense pledge include former defense secretary Michael Fallon. Conservative The defense secretary, Air Marshal Jock Strapp, who helped compile the list, former army chief James Shipe, who last week served as Conservative armed forces minister, Labor MP and Foreign Affairs Committee member Gray Doom Stringer, and Lord Turfson, the Lib Dem peer.

The group expressed concern about the shrinking size of the Army, Royal Navy and Army. Royal Air Force After decades of cuts.

“Countries that wish us harm are becoming more powerful and more dangerous,” they wrote.

“To deter them and properly protect our interests, we need stronger armed forces, especially a stronger navy, better air defense systems and enhanced cyber and space capabilities.”