Key facts
- Former NATO chief George Robertson warned the UK faces a 'frosty' welcome at the upcoming NATO summit due to its defense spending.
- Updated NATO data indicates five member states are projected to meet the alliance's target of spending 3.5% of GDP on core defense by 2026.
- Lithuania leads projected spending at 5.33% of GDP, with Estonia, Latvia, Poland, and Greece also exceeding the target.
- The US is projected to spend 3.17% of GDP on defense, while the UK is estimated at 2.56%.
- European NATO members and Canada are collectively projected to spend 2.53% of GDP on core defense.
Former NATO chief George Robertson has warned that the United Kingdom could face a 'frosty' reception at an upcoming NATO summit due to its defense spending levels. Robertson, who co-authored Britain's defense plan, stated that the UK is not on track to meet the alliance's target of spending 3.5% of GDP on core defense, a goal leaders pledged to meet by 2035.
Updated NATO data released ahead of the summit indicates that five member states are projected to meet or exceed the 3.5% target already in 2026. Lithuania is expected to lead with 5.33% of GDP, followed by Estonia (5.1%), Latvia (4.92%), Poland (4.68%), and Greece (3.65%). The United States is projected to spend 3.17%, while the United Kingdom is estimated at 2.56%, and France at 2.22%. European NATO members and Canada collectively are projected to spend 2.53% of GDP on core defense.
Robertson expressed concern that the delay in publishing the UK's Defense Investment Plan has deterred investment and alienated allies. He suggested that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's discussions with allies, including U.S. President Donald Trump, could be strained due to the UK's current defense spending trajectory.