By: Buhle Mbhele
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, has called for a 400% increase in air and missile defence capabilities to ensure the alliance maintains credible deterrence amid rising global tensions.
His remarks come ahead of a key NATO summit scheduled to take place in The Hague later this month. The 32-member alliance is expected to debate and potentially adopt a new defence spending target, calling on member states to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defence and related sectors, a significant jump from the current 2% benchmark.
The proposal is seen as being inspired by former US President Donald Trump, who repeatedly criticised European NATO members for not contributing their fair share towards collective defence during his tenure.
Speaking to reporters, Rutte said the proposed investment was “grounded in hard facts”, pointing to increased military threats from state and non-state actors, as well as the need to replenish defence stockpiles that have been stretched by support for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.
“The world has become more dangerous, not less,” said Rutte. “We must invest in robust capabilities, from missile defence systems to cyber resilience, if we are to remain credible as a defensive alliance.”
The summit will also mark Rutte’s first major appearance as NATO’s incoming chief, with his tenure officially starting in October, following Jens Stoltenberg’s departure after nearly a decade in the role.
