NATO Proposes Historic Defense Spending Boost in Advance of 2025 Summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is proposing a historic 5% defense spending commitment to strengthen the alliance’s capabilities ahead of the 2025 NATO Summit. NATO aims to expand its defense industrial production, addressing gaps revealed by Russia’s war in Ukraine. 

Rutte, who has been serving as secretary general of NATO since October 2024, has made his priorities clear: he wants a stronger NATO. He’s proposing a 5% defense spending commitment (3.5% core defense spending and 1.5% security-related expenditures) to strengthen the alliance’s capabilities. 

The goal is “turbocharging our military adaptation through a very concerted effort to invest more in defense and reenergize and strengthen our defense industrial base,” said a senior NATO official during a Defense Writers Group meeting held via Zoom on June 17. 

“We need to make sure that we have the investments in our armed forces, in our military instrumental power, to ensure that it can fully deliver on our plans . . . so that NATO is strong today but will continue to be stronger into the future.” 

The 2025 NATO Summit takes place on June 24 and 25 in The Hague. NATO heads of state, government and other key partners will join forces to address the challenges facing the alliance and further strengthen their deterrence and defense strategies. 

“I expect that at this summit, when our heads of state and government meet in a few short days in The Hague that they will make a historical commitment when it comes to defense spending.” 

The senior NATO official also expects to see new announcements of allies coming together to sign “several billions” worth of defense contracts “to help send a demand signal that our industry needs.” 

Russia’s war against Ukraine will also be a top priority at the NATO Summit, as it has revealed gaps that were present in the alliance’s defense industry. The hope is that a political settlement will be agreed upon at the summit, and also to consider long-term ways to support rebuilding Ukraine’s strength. 

“And the goal there is, of course, that after a political settlement is in place, the political settlement is enduring. It's durable. It's sustainable. And that Russia is not in a position to ever again attempt to attack Ukraine on any part of NATO territory.”