**NATO Secretary General Calls for “Quantum Leap” in Collective Defence**
Next month’s NATO summit in The Hague will be a crucial moment for the alliance, as member countries discuss ways to enhance their defence capabilities. Ahead of this meeting, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has announced plans to urge allies to take a significant step forward in collective defence. In a speech scheduled for June 9 in London, Rutte will call for a substantial increase in air and missile defence systems.
According to Reuters, the proposal would involve a fourfold (400%) rise in these critical defence capabilities. This drastic measure is necessary, in the Secretary General’s view, because current levels of defence are insufficient to maintain credible deterrence. “The fact is,” Rutte will say, “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.”
**Pressure Mounting on European Nations**
Rutte’s call for increased defence spending comes as European nations face growing pressure to boost their military budgets following hints from US President Donald Trump about shifting American priorities. To meet the NATO chief’s proposed target of 3.5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% allocated to broader security-related expenditures, would require significant investment from member countries.
This proposal aligns with a previous request from NATO for European nations to boost ground-based air defence forces by five times. Individual targets vary among nations, and implementation timelines remain uncertain. Some countries have already announced spending increases in response to these calls. The UK has pledged to raise its defence expenditure from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a target of 3% at a later date. Germany has indicated it will need approximately 50,000 to 60,000 additional active soldiers under new NATO requirements.
**Regional Security Concerns**
The enhanced defence call reflects ongoing concerns about regional security amid Russia’s continued war against Ukraine. This situation underscores the importance of collective defence and the need for increased investment in air and missile defence systems to maintain credible deterrence. The proposal represents a key priority for the upcoming NATO summit, where member countries will gather to discuss ways to enhance their defence capabilities.
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