NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will urge allies on Monday to quadruple air and missile defense capabilities, warning that the alliance must make a “quantum leap” in collective security amid persistent threats from Russia.

Speaking at London’s Chatham House, Rutte is expected to argue that the alliance needs “a 400% increase in air and missile defence” to maintain credible deterrence. “We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,” he will say, according to excerpts shared by his office.

This demand sets the tone for NATO’s upcoming summit in The Hague later this month, where key commitments on force posture and spending are expected.

Push Toward Trump’s 5% Spending Goal

Rutte is also advocating for a steep rise in national defense outlays: 3.5% of GDP for direct military spending and another 1.5% for broader security investments—aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for a 5% NATO target. Trump has repeatedly pressured Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security.

Countries like the UK and Germany are moving toward the target. The UK pledged to increase its defense spending to 2.5% by 2027, with a goal of reaching 3%, while Germany may need 50,000–60,000 more active troops to meet new NATO thresholds.

NATO Responds to Russian Air Threats

Rutte's remarks emphasize that even if a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine, the threat from Russia will persist. “The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends,” he warns, suggesting sustained readiness will be critical regardless of battlefield outcomes.