This agreement signals the start of other key initiatives expected at the NATO Summit in The Hague in June.

NATO members have agreed on new “ambitious” military capability targets during the last NATO ministerial meeting before the summit at the end of June.

These capabilities, encompassing air defence, combat aircraft, tanks, drones, personnel, and logistics, among others, will keep “our deterrence and defence strong and our one billion people safe”, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced during a press conference on 5 June.

This is the “vital first step” to rearmament, which sets out what members must invest over the coming years.

An investment plan – set to be agreed at the summit – will follow, outlining how these capabilities will be funded. 

The investment plan will call for members to commit 5% of GDP to defence, comprising 3.5% for core defence spending and 1.5% for defence related infrastructure and industry, Rutte explained.

When asked about how NATO would enforce these spending targets, Rutte said nations will commit to yearly plans, which show the increase each year, ensuring they reach the 5% target.

The announcement comes at a time when countries across Europe are increasing defence spending, including the UK, which has so far agreed to spend 2.5% from 2027, as of 6 June.

Another key NATO member – France, which currently spends around 2% – is yet to announce a defence spending hike. Although France’s President Emmanuel Macron is trying to push this through parliament.

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