[tomatotomato37]

The UK is an island country with its single actual existential threat getting its own military capability shredded in Ukraine. Unless something wacky happens and France decides to reignite the Hundred Years war the UK really doesn't need much of a military anymore anyway, so why invest in it?

[nradov]

As an island country the UK is still highly dependent on global trade. It makes sense to invest in a strong navy plus some expeditionary land and air forces in order to keep their sea lines of communication open. They need to have their own capabilities as a matter of national survival rather than relying on the US.

It also makes sense for the UK to continue funding a proxy war in Ukraine. This allows them to bleed Russia to death and eliminate that threat for years to come at a minimal cost.

[fidgewidge]

And the UK has done that. It has two aircraft carriers.

It's pretty unclear why it should have an army that's literally ready to go at full strength within days. The US does that but US levels of military spending are hardly normal. Even in WW2 there was time to rearm. Huge military conflicts on your doorstep rarely come out of nowhere, they are seen coming. The most likely next conflict after Ukraine is still Taiwan and the UK's role in that will likely be minimal regardless of the strength of the armed forces.