Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte told the BBC that the United Kingdom needs to lay out a "credible path" for raising defence spending, saying UK ministers accept the necessity of making year-on-year increases. His remarks underscore continued alliance scrutiny of member states' long-term defence commitments.
Rutte said ministers in London acknowledge the importance of incremental annual steps to shore up military capabilities. He urged that these steps be assembled into a clear and believable plan to reassure allies that funding will rise steadily over time.
The Nato chief's comments reflect broader alliance concerns about predictable and sustained defence investment. While he did not set out specific figures or timetables, Rutte stressed that a transparent approach would help maintain collective deterrence and readiness across Nato members.
Officials in the UK have signalled a willingness to increase spending but have yet to publish a detailed multi-year trajectory. Rutte's call for a credible plan frames the discussion around accountability and long-term planning as Nato and its members assess how best to meet shared security commitments.