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NATO’s defence capabilities face uncertainty due to insufficient military spending among member states, according to Secretary General Mark Rutte, who emphasizes the urgent need for increased defence budgets and industrial revitalization.
During a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Rutte reinforced his ongoing message about the growing global threats. Starmer’s presence was notably overshadowed by his apparent avoidance of questions regarding his adherence to COVID-19 lockdown regulations in 2020.
Rutte emphasized the critical nature of defence spending, particularly in light of increasing Russian interference. “To stop these attacks, once and for all, we need to up our game and make sure our deterrence leaves no room for doubt. We can do this by investing even more in defence.”
Despite a longstanding agreement from the 2010s requiring NATO members to allocate 2% of their GDP to defence spending, European NATO countries currently average only 1.9%. Some significant members, such as Spain, contribute even less at 1.3%, while still benefiting from the protective umbrella provided by nuclear-capable allies like the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Recent discussions have proposed higher spending targets, driven by Russian military actions in Eastern Europe and American pressure for European nations to increase their defence contributions. While the European Union suggests 3%, and former President Trump advocates for 5%, NATO is considering a modest increase to 2.5%.
Speaking alongside Starmer, Rutte advocated for substantial increases in defence spending. “To put it in another way, to prevent war, we must spend more… in a more dangerous world, 2% will not be enough to keep us safe. We need to invest considerably more. We also need to replenish our stocks, and fast, there’s no time to waste reviving our defence industries, to ramp up defence production, is an absolute must.”
The Secretary General drew historical parallels to emphasize the West’s industrial potential, stating: “During World War II, factories in the UK and the US produced billions of rounds of ammunition. That was before digitization and automation. With all the might of British manufacturing, just imagine what we could achieve now.”
