UK to pledge 5% of GDP on security by 2035 at NATO Summit
The post UK to pledge 5% of GDP on security by 2035 at NATO Summit appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to spending 5% of the country’s economic output on security by 2035, aligning the UK with NATO’s ambitious new defense spending target. The announcement comes as NATO leaders gather in The Hague to adopt the 5% goal—an increase from the alliance’s current 2% target—amid rising global security concerns. “This is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to NATO and drive greater investment in the nation’s wider security and resilience,” Starmer said in a statement ahead of the summit. The pledge, seen as a nod to US President Donald Trump’s longstanding calls for European nations to shoulder more defense responsibilities, marks a significant step up from the UK’s current plans to reach 2.6% by 2027, including intelligence spending. However, the government has not detailed how it plans to meet the 5% goal, especially given that the lion’s share of the increase will occur after the next two general elections. Broader definition of security to include cyber defense, infrastructure, and borders As part of the new framework, the UK will broaden its definition of security spending beyond traditional defense to include border protection, critical infrastructure, and supply chain resilience. Starmer’s office said that factoring in these additional categories, the UK will hit 4.1% of GDP on security by 2027. Despite the expanded scope, the government has no current plans to increase core military spending beyond 2027. Still, the commitment envisions dedicating 3.5% to defense by 2035, leaving the remaining 1.5% for broader security efforts. Starmer had previously presented his increase in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP as “the biggest sustained rise since the end of the Cold War.” He first hinted at further increases in an interview earlier this month. NATO allies respond as the UK extends deadline and emphasizes strategic independence Russia’s ongoing…
Filed under: News - @ June 24, 2025 12:28 am