UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to raise Britain’s defense and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, aligning with NATO’s new target championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, though questions remain over how and when the increase will be delivered.

Ambitious Goal, Limited Roadmap

Starmer will announce the commitment at the NATO summit in The Hague, marking a dramatic increase from the current 2.6%—a figure that includes intelligence services. His government has not yet detailed how the UK will reach 5%, as current fiscal plans cap core defense spending through 2029.

While Starmer earlier framed the 2.5% increase as the largest sustained boost since the Cold War, the 5% promise now dwarfs those plans and hinges on spending post-2029—beyond the term of the current Parliament.

Expanded Definition of Security Spending

To reach the goal, the UK will broaden its definition of “security” to include national resilience, border protection, cyber defense, and infrastructure security. By 2027, these sectors are expected to bring total security spending to 4.1% of GDP.

Starmer’s office argues this approach brings Britain closer to the NATO benchmark without relying solely on military expenditure. The goal: spend 3.5% on defense and 1.5% on broader national security by 2035.

NATO’s 5% Target Faces Mixed Reception

NATO allies, under U.S. pressure, are expected to adopt the 5% GDP goal at the summit. Only Spain has opted out, citing domestic budget constraints and claiming capability—not spending—should be the benchmark.

Germany, by contrast, announced it will reach 3.5% core defense spending by 2029. NATO will formally review progress in 2029—by which time a new U.S. administration may be in place.

Britain’s Security Strategy Shift

Starmer’s announcement comes alongside a new UK National Security Strategy and an industrial policy focused on critical technology, R&D, and cutting dependency on foreign supply chains. His office pledged £86 billion in tech investment to support both growth and national defense capabilities.

“We will become more unapologetic and systematic in pursuit of our national interests,” Starmer’s statement said.