Overview

• Defence ministers convened in Brussels on June 5 to approve new capability targets covering air and missile defence, ammunition, drones and logistics ahead of the Hague summit.
• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has outlined a 5% GDP goal split into 3.5% for core military hardware and 1.5% for defence-related measures such as infrastructure and cybersecurity.
• US Ambassador Matthew Whitaker and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have urged an immediate baseline commitment to 5% defence and security spending from all allies.
• Member states remain divided over the deadline to reach 5%, with Rutte proposing 2032 and some eastern European governments pushing for a 2030 target.
• The UK is under growing pressure to raise its current 2.3% defence budget toward at least 3.5% of GDP to secure continued US support and meet alliance expectations.