UK aims to hit 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, says Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom will reach NATO's new target of spending 5% of GDP on national security by 2035, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, according to the BBC.
Starmer emphasized that Britain must navigate the current era of uncertainty with agility, speed, and a clear focus on national interests. He stressed that economic security is a fundamental component of national security, and said the government's strategy aims to mobilize society as a whole — generating jobs, growth, and higher wages for working people. However, he noted that an increase in core defense spending to 3.5% of GDP is not expected before 2035.
It is expected that at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, the 32 member countries, including the United Kingdom, will agree on the 5% target — with 3.5% allocated to core defense, and the remaining 1.5% to broader security-related areas.
The split target is intended to reassure US President Donald Trump, who has urged NATO allies to spend more, while giving EU countries with tighter budgets greater flexibility in how they reach the goal.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), based on the current size of the UK economy, raising defense spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP would amount to approximately £6 billion.
Yesterday, on June 23, the British government stated it expects to reach 4.1% of GDP spending on national security by 2027.
NATO summit
Today, June 24, the NATO summit kicked off in The Hague, Netherlands. The main topic of the meeting is the proposed increase in defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP.
This is a demand repeatedly made by US President Donald Trump to the Alliance's member states.
Meanwhile, media reports suggest that Spain has managed to secure a concession on this issue.
