Among the many ramifications of Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been the acceptance by European countries that they must spend more on their own defence. This week’s Nato summit in The Hague will hear pledges to that end from the attendant leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. He is to commit the UK to spend 5 per cent of GDP on “national security” within 10 years.
But this is not about more money for the military. The term encompasses defence spending, wider homeland security and “national resilience”. How much will translate into more manpower and better kit is being deliberately obscured to look as though Nato’s requested uplift is being met.
The description will include spending on energy security (something jeopardised by net zero) and tackling smuggling gangs. This is not what Nato asked for though it appears that definitions are to be stretched to avoid embarrassment to countries unwilling or unable to make the requested contribution.
Mark Rutte, the bloc’s secretary-general, wants members to commit to spend 3.5 per cent on hard defence and 1.5 per cent on cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure. That is not what Sir Keir is saying, however much it is spun. So far, the only firm pledge is to spend 2.5 per cent on defence paid for by raiding the overseas aid budget.
Among the many ramifications of Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been the acceptance by European countries that they must spend more on their own defence. This week’s Nato summit in The Hague will hear pledges to that end from the attendant leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. He is to commit the UK to spend 5 per cent of GDP on “national security” within 10 years.
But this is not about more money for the military. The term encompasses defence spending, wider homeland security and “national resilience”. How much will translate into more manpower and better kit is being deliberately obscured to look as though Nato’s requested uplift is being met.
The description will include spending on energy security (something jeopardised by net zero) and tackling smuggling gangs. This is not what Nato asked for though it appears that definitions are to be stretched to avoid embarrassment to countries unwilling or unable to make the requested contribution.
Mark Rutte, the bloc’s secretary-general, wants members to commit to spend 3.5 per cent on hard defence and 1.5 per cent on cyber, intelligence and military-related infrastructure. That is not what Sir Keir is saying, however much it is spun. So far, the only firm pledge is to spend 2.5 per cent on defence paid for by raiding the overseas aid budget.