UK announces rapid strike forces, more warships in new defense plan

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will boost spending on defense to combat the growing threat from Islamic militants, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday, underlining the need for rapid reaction forces after the Paris attacks.

After visiting Paris where he pledged British support for France after the Nov. 13 attacks which killed 130 people, Cameron unveiled plans to increase spending by 12 billion pounds ($18 billion) to 178 billion over the next decade as part of his government's five-year defense and security plan.