NATO chief calls for 400% increase in air and missile defence

NATO needs a 400% increase in air and missile defence to maintain a credible deterrence, its secretary general has said in a speech in London.

Mark Rutte called for a "quantum leap" in collective security, warning threats facing the alliance "will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends". Politics Live: Ministers continue to battle over funds ahead of spending review It comes ahead of a summit in The Hague later this month, when the UK and its NATO allies are expected to agree to a Donald Trump-inspired pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defence and related areas.

New Sky News podcast launches on 10 June - The Wargame simulates an attack by Russia to test UK defences ????Search for The Wargame on your podcast app???? Speaking at Chatham House, Mr Rutte said the investment plan is "grounded in hard facts". He said: "The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defence.

The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full. The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends." Mr Rutte argued that in order to maintain credible deterrence and defence, NATO needs "a 400% increase in air and missile defence".

"We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies," he said. "Our militaries also need thousands more armoured vehicles and tanks, millions more artillery shells, and we must double our enabling capabilities, such as logistics, supply, transportation, and medical support." Mr Rutte also referred to countries other than Russia that pose a threat to the alliance and said: "Russia has teamed up with China, North Korea and Iran.

They are expanding their militaries and their capabilities. Putin's war machine is speeding up, not slowing down." He continued: "In terms of ammunition, Russia produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year, and its defence industrial base is expected to roll out 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armoured vehicles and 200 Iskander missiles this year alone.

Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years." Mr Rutte added: "China is also modernising and expanding its military at breakneck speed. It already has the world's largest navy, and this battle force is expected to grow to 435 ships by 2030." On the threats against the alliance, he also warned: "Wishful thinking will not keep us safe.

We cannot dream away the danger. Hope is not a strategy.

So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance." Mr Rutte earlier met with Sir Keir Starmer and visited Sheffield Forgemasters with Defence Secretary John Healey. The prime minister has committed to spend 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3% over the next parliament.

Although the government's language has been cloudy on the 3% figure, describing it as an ambition rather than a commitment, Sky News understands the UK will in fact agree to increase defence spending to 3.5% of national income within a decade as part of Mr Rutte's push to rearm NATO and keep the US on side. Read More: Spending review 2025: What is it and what might Rachel Reeves announce? As reported by our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes, Sir Keir will also likely be forced to commit a further 1.5% of GDP to defence-related areas such as spy agencies and infrastructure.

This would bolster total broader defence spending to 5%, in what is being described as the "Hague investment plan". ????Listen to Politics at Sam and Anne's on your podcast app???? NATO countries have faced pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly hit out at European allies for not spending enough on defence and taking advantage of American taxpayers.

Speaking at Chatham House today, Mr Rutte said: "Spending more (on defence) is not about pleasing an audience of one. This is about protecting one billion people." He added: "America has carried too much of the burden for too long.

America's allies have broad shoulders, and Europe and Canada will do more for our shared security. And that will be backed by America's rock solid commitment to NATO." The NATO plan to increase defence spending among its members comes as Sir Keir is facing pressure at home on where his priorities lie, with many of his own MPs wanting to see more funding on welfare.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her spending review on Wednesday, when health and defence are expected to be the winners in the process to allocate cash to government departments. Cuts to the Department of Work and Pensions have already been announced, but other unprotected departments like the Home Office and Department of Communities and Local Government could be braced for a real spending squeeze..