Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has urged Britain to set out a 'credible path' of annual defence budget increases to meet the alliance's target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Key facts
- Nato chief Mark Rutte said Britain must show a 'credible path' of annual defence budget rises.
- The alliance target is defence spending of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
- Meeting the goal would require nearly £30bn more in military spending by the mid-2030s.
- Rutte warned Britain could not wait until just before 2035 to lift spending.
- The intervention came a day after Rutte met Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Britain needs to demonstrate a “credible path” of annual increases in its defence budgets to meet a Nato target of spending nearly £30bn more on the military by the middle of the next decade, the head of the alliance said on Thursday, according to the Guardian.
Mark Rutte, Nato’s secretary general, said that Britain could not wait until just before 2035 to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP. The Guardian described the comments as an unusually pointed intervention.
Rutte’s remarks came a day after he met Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the report said. The secretary general stressed that steady, year-on-year rises would be needed rather than a late surge in spending as the deadline approaches.
The 3.5% of GDP figure represents the alliance target that member states are being asked to work towards by 2035. According to the Guardian, reaching it would mean Britain spending close to £30bn more on defence by the middle of the next decade.
Rutte’s push reflects wider pressure within Nato for members to raise military budgets over the coming decade. His call for a phased, predictable path suggests concern that governments could otherwise delay difficult spending decisions until the target date is near.
Why it matters
Defence spending is one of the biggest and most politically sensitive lines in any government budget, and Nato's target implies billions in additional commitments for Britain. How and when the money is found will shape debates over taxes, public services and the country's role in the alliance.
Frequently asked questions
What defence spending target has Nato set for Britain?
According to the Guardian, Nato's target is for member states including Britain to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
How much more would Britain need to spend?
The Guardian reports that meeting the target would require Britain to spend nearly £30bn more on the military by the middle of the next decade.
Why does Nato want a 'credible path' rather than a last-minute increase?
Mark Rutte said Britain could not wait until just before 2035 to lift spending to 3.5% of GDP, indicating Nato wants steady annual increases instead.