Nato chief calls for quantum leap in air defence
Nato chief calls for quantum leap in air defence
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte wants Nato members to ramp up defence spending at the Hague Summit. Photo: AFP
Nato head Mark Rutte on Monday called for a quantum leap in air and missile defence capabilities.
His comments came as he pushes for Nato members to commit to a ramping up of defence spending at the Hague Summit later this month.
To maintain credible deterrence and defence, Nato needs "a 400-percent increase in air and missile defence", the former Dutch prime minister said.
Rutte is urging Nato members to commit to 3.5 percent of GDP on direct military spending by 2032, and an additional 1.5 percent on broader security-related expenditure.
The proposal is a compromise deal designed to satisfy US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that allies each spend five percent of economic output on defence, up from a current commitment of two percent. (AFP)
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