UK Defence Spending Faces NATO Scrutiny Ahead of Ankara Summit

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend the NATO summit in Ankara, where the UK’s defence investment plan (Dip) faces scrutiny. NATO ambassador Matt Whitaker warned that allies as the UK are “lagging behind” on defence-spending commitments.

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At the 2024 NATO summit in The Hague, members pledged at least 3.5 % of GDP on defence by 2035, within a 5 % defence-and-security ceiling. The UK’s Dip adds £15 billion, raising the defence share from 2.6 % in 2027 to 2.7 % by 2030, aiming for 3 % in next parliament and 3.5 % by 2035.

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• Keir Starmer – Prime Minister

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• Dan Jarvis – Defence Secretary

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• Andy Burnham – Prime Minister-in-waiting

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• Matt Whitaker – US NATO ambassador

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• Pete Hegseth – US defence counterpart

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• Rachel Reeves – Chancellor

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• Ministry of Defence spokesperson – Commented on Russian aircraft

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The £298 billion four-year defence investment plan adds £15 billion, raising the defence share from 2.6 % of GDP (2027) to 2.7 % (2030) and targeting 3 % in next parliament and 3.5 % by 2035, within NATO’s 5 % defence-and-security ceiling. Meeting the 3.5 % goal will require an extra £25 billion, including a £1.5 billion boost over the next four years.

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NATO ambassador Matt Whitaker warned that allies as the UK are lagging on defence spending. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis told NATO he will assure counterpart Pete Hegseth that the UK will meet its pledges. Ministry of Defence reported a Russian ‘Bear-F’ patrol aircraft approached HMS Prince of Wales, deeming the activity unsafe and unprofessional.

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The £1.5 billion uplift drew criticism because road and capital spending will be cut to cover a £4.7 billion gap. Critics say limited fiscal headroom makes the £25 billion shift hard without higher taxes or borrowing.

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Sources differ on the total extra funding sought: the defence secretary referenced an £18 billion target, while the final agreement delivered £15 billion. The precise financing mix—tax increases, borrowing, or reallocation—remains unspecified.

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• “What I absolutely will want to see is that in the next spending review we commit the resources to evidence the trajectory to 3.5%,” — Dan Jarvis, UK Defence Secretary

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• “I will give him [Hegseth] the commitment that we will honour the pledges, the commitments that we’ve made to the United States and to our Nato allies,” — Dan Jarvis, UK Defence Secretary

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• “It added: “This activity was unsafe and unprofessional.” — Ministry of Defence spokesperson

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The Ankara summit will gauge the UK’s compliance with NATO spending goals. A UK spending review before the 2030 fiscal year will decide if the £25 billion shift can be funded. Andy Burnham’s prospective premiership adds political uncertainty to meeting the alliance’s targets.

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