Increased defence spending creates a "myth" around job boosts, while turbocharging the "existential threat" of climate change and job security.
The UK Government committed to spending 5% of GDP on national security by 2035, with 3.5% on defence an 1.5% on resilience and security.
UK Government ministers pledged significant investment in infrastructure and job boosts across the country.
However, Claire Duncanson, a professor of global politics at Edinburgh University, told The Herald the promises on job security were a "myth".
Instead, she argued the rise in spending is causing "severe limitations" on public funds , while also exacerbating the ecological crisis.
The UK's defence strategy will see 12 new attack submarines and nuclear warheads build, with a 3.5% rise expected to cost the public purse an additional £30 billion per year, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
Professor Duncanson, who is also co-director of the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, said the UK Government faces an "acute dilemma" in juggling military commitments with spending on climate and public services.
"We have to think about the existential threat of Russia at the same time as the other big existential threat that threatens us all - climate change and biodiversity collapse," she said.
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"It seems to me that's the threat that should shape everything else. If we increase our military spending, we undermine our efforts to tackle the other crisis of ecological collapse.
"If all Nato countries increase their military spending to 3.5%, it turbocharges carbon emissions such as that the total would put Nato militaries at the fourth largest contributor to greenhouse gases.
"By trying to solve one ecological crisis, we absolutely speed us along the road to another."
Experts advocating for an alternative to defence spending also claim the UK Government's pledged economic boost is "misinformation".
An alternative defence review commissioned by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and edited by Glasgow University academic Professor Karen Bell, warned almost 44% of government contracts went to large companies, while just 5% went to small and medium-sized firms.
The report said: "This monopoly structure means much of the supposed 'growth' is captured by a small number of large firms, no the wider economy."
Prof Duncanson said: "There is so much misinformation out there. A lot of the lines from the British Government is that this could be a win-win. By spending on defence, we increase our security and we also produce economic growth and jobs."
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She described that as a "myth", adding: "Defence spending does not lead to many jobs.
"The UK Government has absolutely hammered it home that this will be good for economic growth and for jobs. I think that is really questionable."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the government's plans will boost 400,000 jobs across the UK, including 25,000 in Scotland.
The major defence spending boost, outlined in June, resulted in commitments for new munitions factories, with Scotland to benefit from a "defence dividend".
But Professor Bell, a lecturer in social and environmental justice at Glasgow University, warned there could actually be a net loss in jobs as a result of shifting funding from other sectors.
Analysis by the Scottish Government placed military spending as one of the lowest employment multipliers of all economic categories, ranking 70 out of 100 in terms of the number of jobs generated.
Writing in the Guardian, Prof Bell said: "The government's narrative suggests that increased military spending will enhance national security and stimulate economic growth. However, this perspective neglects the immediate threats facing UK citizens: underfunded public services, a strained National Health Service and the escalating climate crisis.”
The Prime Minister placed the country on the "war-footing" earlier this year, warning of a significant threat from Russia.
Scotland is expected to receive a share of £250 million of new defence funding outlined by the government, with Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander stating it would mean a "real boost for Scotland's economy," while creating highly skilled jobs "for years to come".
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “There can be no economic security without national security.
“UK defence undoubtedly contributes significantly to economic growth – supporting 1 in every 60 jobs across the country and more than £31 billion was spent last year alone with the UK defence industry.
“As global threats rise, we continue to work at pace to deliver equipment for our Armed Forces, back UK companies, and create jobs across the country.”
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