The UK needs a “credible path” towards hitting its Nato defence spending target – with increases every year, the alliance’s chief Mark Rutte has said.
The Nato secretary general told the Press Association that members of the defensive alliance “have to stick to that path” towards allocating 3.5% of gross domestic product – a measure of the size of the economy – for core defence spending by 2035, and set out “yearly increments”.
It comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham is under political pressure to show how the UK will meet that goal.
The Government has so far only budgeted to hike defence spending to 2.7% of GDP by 2027/28, but there are no firm details on how further increases will be achieved beyond that date.
Mr Rutte said reaching the 3.5% target could not happen immediately because Nato countries needed time to expand their armed forces and defence industries.
In an exclusive interview with PA on Thursday, the Nato chief said: “You cannot spend it today, but you can also not wait ’til 2035.
“And that is why you need a credible path towards that 3.5%, and yearly increments.”
Warning about the threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin after a spate of hybrid attacks on European soil, Mr Rutte said: “Let’s not be naive about what he might do against Nato.”
He continued: “I think we are on the right path now to make sure that also going forward we stay ahead of the Russians.
“But again, that means that all of us, the UK and all the others, have to to stick to that path to the 3.5% with yearly increments.”
Chancellor John Healey quit as defence secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s administration in a row over funding, arguing that it was necessary to reach 3% by 2030.
He has since appeared unwilling to recommit to the interim target and said he will set out the timetable for spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 at next year’s spending review.
Mr Rutte praised Mr Burnham’s Government for its commitment to the Nato goal.
After meeting Mr Burnham on Wednesday, and Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting on Thursday, Mr Rutte told PA: “I’m really happy with the Prime Minister and also all the other key political players, including the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary, really committing to the 3.5%, but also committing to the need for a credible path to get there.
“And of course, I understand that next year’s spending review … will probably lead to more decisions on what that path exactly will be.”
He added that allies could not “in 2034 do in one step” the increase to 3.5% from the current level of defence spending, and that there “has to be a glide path”.
Read MoreIceland boss warns Andy Burnham: Stop acting like Father Christmas
Bank of England warns interest rate rise ‘likely’ if Trump’s war in Iran continues
Interest rates held at 3.75% but Bank warns Iran war could mean future hike
