NATO's Rutte says European allies and Canada now spend nearly 4% of GDP on defence ahead of Ankara summit
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that European members and Canada have raised defence spending to almost 4% of GDP, with an additional $258 billion in investments expected for 2025–2026, as leaders prepare to meet in Ankara.
Spending surge
European NATO allies and Canada spent roughly 20% more on core defence in 2024 than the year before, Secretary General Mark Rutte told reporters on the eve of the alliance's summit in Ankara. The collective figure now approaches 4% of GDP, and the upward trend is set to continue: allies have earmarked an extra $258 billion for 2025–2026.
Allies must turn financial resources into military capabilities and use available funds to procure missiles and interception systems.
Last year's summit agreed to raise total defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, split between 3.5% for core defence and 1.5% for defence- and security-related investments. Rutte said he expects countries to present "clear, concrete and credible plans" for hitting that target during the Ankara meeting, adding that the data submitted so far is encouraging.
- European allies and Canada increase core defence spending by ~20% year-on-year, reaching nearly 4% of GDP.
- NATO leaders agree to raise total defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 (3.5% core, 1.5% related investments).
- Additional defence investments of $258 billion are projected across the alliance.
- NATO summit opens in Ankara; Rutte calls for concrete plans to meet the 5% target.
- Target year for achieving the 5% of GDP defence spending goal.
Ankara summit agenda
The two-day summit, hosted by Turkey on 7–8 July, will focus on implementing the 2025 spending pledges, sustaining military support for Ukraine, and expanding the alliance's defence industrial production. A defence industry conference on Tuesday is expected to unveil new contracts worth tens of billions of dollars.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend the talks, which take place against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and persistent transatlantic debate over burden-sharing.
Turkey's strategic role
Rutte thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and called Ankara an "excellent venue" for the summit. He stressed that Turkey's geographic position and leadership within the alliance make it "truly important for NATO's future security strategy."
Turkey, overall, remains truly important for NATO's future security strategy.
Burden-sharing and deterrence
The secretary general's call to convert spending into hardware reflects a broader push to strengthen deterrence. The summit will review progress on decisions taken in 2025 and seek to align financial commitments with concrete military output, including missile and air-defence procurement.
