What it will cost to defend UK from the Russian threat

New secretary general of Nato Mark Rutte has warned that Russia is preparing for “long-term confrontation... with Ukraine, and with us” and has called for more defence spending to combat threats from Russia and its allies: China, Iran and North Korea.

- SEAN O'GRADY

In the former Dutch PM’s chilling words: “If we don’t spend more together now to prevent war, we will pay a much, much, much higher price later to fight it. Not billions, but trillions of euros. That’s if we come out on top... and that’s if we win”.

He is far from alone in urging Western powers to adopt a “shift to a wartime mindset”. It will be a big ask, not least for the fiscally challenged UK.

What does Rutte want?

Rutte’s inaugural speech didn’t include a specific goal, but there are widespread reports that he’d like to see the target for defence spending among the 32 Nato member states raised from 2 per cent to 3 per cent, and he has even mentioned a more ambitious figure.

At a press conference, Rutte stated: “I decided today not to mention a new figure. We will need more time to consult amongst allies about what exactly the new level should be. But it is considerably more than 2 per cent. But let me be very frank, if you would only spend more and not spend better, you have to go to at least 4 per cent.”

What does the UK spend?

More, as a proportion of national income, than some Nato allies such as Luxembourg, but less than others such as Poland. Britain presently exceeds the 2 per cent target, at 2.3 per cent of GDP on the Nato definition, and with a respectable record of assisting Ukraine before many others. In cash terms, in the last fiscal year the UK spent some £53.9bn on defence, not all of it specifically devoted to Nato commitments.

What will the UK spend?