NATO chief to urge four-fold boost to European defense spending

Washington’s European allies must make a “quantum leap” in military spending to deter Russia, the head of NATO is expected to say Monday, calling for a 400% increase in the continent’s air and missile defense budget.

LONDON — Washington’s European allies must make a “quantum leap” in military spending to deter Russia, the head of NATO is expected to say Monday, calling for a 400% increase in the Continent’s air and missile defense budget.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s comments are set to be among the strongest yet from the organization as it attempts to improve Europe’s insufficient defenses against Russia while also avoiding the political ire of President Donald Trump.

“The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defense,” Rutte is expected to say in a speech to the London-based think tank Chatham House, in remarks released beforehand by the alliance. “The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defense plans in full. The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends.”

Trump's clear signaling that he would like to at least significantly reduce decades of American military support for Europe has sent its nations scrambling to beef up their own arms industries.

German and Dutch soldiers simulate urban combat during a joint exercise defending Europe's eastern flank in Gardelegen, Germany, in April.Tamir Kalifa / Getty ImagesTrump's call for NATO allies to up their minimum defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP was once seen as outlandish; but last month Rutte too backed this idea and said he expected it to be adopted at NATO's June 24-25 summit.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/nato-chief-urge-four-fold-boost-european-defense-spending-rcna211777


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