UK Defence Secretary Engages NATO Allies Without Published Investment Plan
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis described his meeting with NATO counterparts as occurring during a "moment of challenge" upon his arrival in Brussels, notably without the UK's long-term military spending plan being finalized.
NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte has called on member states to submit "clear, concrete and credible plans" detailing how they intend to increase defence spending ahead of the summit scheduled for 7 July.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also criticised certain NATO members for lacking "a credible path" toward enhanced defence expenditure.
Jarvis attended the meeting without the UK's Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which has been delayed, despite warnings from defence officials emphasizing the necessity for increased funding.
His predecessor, John Healey, resigned last week, stating that the DIP "falls well short" of the requirements to safeguard the UK.
The UK government has committed to raising defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, aligning with NATO obligations.
However, Healey noted that the DIP presented to him proposed only "a rise at 0.08% from next year to 2030," lacking "a date for reaching 3%, no path to 3.5%."
He criticised the plan as "backloaded," while the urgency to "speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years," as expressed in his resignation letter.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff, echoed these concerns, warning that the armed forces might need to "dial back" training and operations if additional funding beyond current offers is not secured.
The DIP, initially expected in autumn 2025, was due for publication last week but was postponed following Healey's resignation.
Government discussions on defence spending are ongoing.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated this week that Jarvis "has his own thoughts now on what the priorities should be," although Downing Street has not indicated that additional funds will be allocated.
Jarvis did not reference the DIP when addressing reporters before the NATO defence ministers' meeting on Thursday.
"It's very clear to me, as the new defence secretary for the United Kingdom, that this is a moment of challenge. The international security is incredibly challenging, and that's why this gathering here today is so particularly important."
He added that the discussions provided a "very good opportunity to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to support Ukraine in their fight" against Russian President Vladimir Putin's "barbaric invasion."
US Defence Secretary Criticizes NATO Members on Spending Commitments
At the opening of Thursday's summit, Hegseth criticised NATO countries he believes have yet to demonstrate how they will meet their spending commitments.
"Some of NATO's largest economies, some of our richest countries, allies that are happiest to go on about the rules-based international order and middle powers banding together, still seem to think the era of free-riding is here."
Hegseth also announced a six-month review of the US military presence in Europe, intended to ensure NATO progresses "fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading" on continental security.
"At the same time, going forward, our annual NATO dues will be contingent on other countries meeting their defence spending targets. Where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down. NATO will be a two-way street."
UK Defence Funding and Political Responses
Reports suggest the UK government is preparing to announce a £13.5bn increase in Ministry of Defence (MoD) funding over the next four years, which is less than the £28bn additional funding requested by the department.
Sir Keir Starmer defended the approach, stating he has made "hard-edged" decisions, including requiring all departments to make cuts to finance defence.
Rupert Pearce, UK National Armaments Director at the MoD, described the DIP publication delay as "regrettable" and cautioned that diverting budgets from sectors like energy or transport to defence could hamper economic growth.
"This could come back to haunt us in defence" because the defence budget is calculated as a percentage of national income, he explained.
On the eve of the defence ministers' meeting, Rutte emphasized the expectation for alliance members to outline plans to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
This commitment is divided into a 3.5% GDP core defence spending target and a 1.5% GDP target for broader resilience spending.
"Investing 5% of GDP in defence by 2035. That's what we agreed. So, I expect nations to present clear, concrete and credible plans to reach that goal. Ideally, well ahead of the agreed timeline. And many are already showing that they are doing exactly that."
The UK government has indicated its intention to publish the DIP before next month's summit.
The DIP will detail how new equipment and defence infrastructure will be financed over the next decade.
for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
