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NATO Ministers Debate US Demand for 5% Defence Spending Before Hague Summit

The compromise plan aims to meet the target by 2032 through a 3.5% core military spend with 1.5% allocated to wider security measures.

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Overview

  • US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Ambassador Matthew Whitaker have insisted all allies commit to investing at least 5% of GDP in defence starting now, framing it as a baseline for deterrence.
  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed splitting the increase into 3.5% for hardware and operations and 1.5% for cyber, infrastructure and other security-related spending.
  • Defence ministers met in Brussels on Thursday to negotiate the proposal and timeline, with Rutte suggesting a 2032 deadline and some eastern members pushing for an earlier target of 2030.
  • The UK, currently at 2.3% of GDP, has pledged to reach 2.5% by 2027 and set an ambition for 3% in the next parliament in light of suggestions it may need to commit to 3.5%.
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Mark Rutte in London next Monday to firm up the UK’s defence contribution ahead of the Hague summit on June 24-25.