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New UK defence secretary meets Nato allies without investment plan in place
TL;DR
UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis met with Nato allies in Brussels without a long-term military spending plan. Nato leaders are pressing for clear plans to increase defence spending ahead of an upcoming summit.
Key points
- Dan Jarvis met Nato allies in Brussels
- UK lacks a long-term military spending plan
- Nato leaders demand credible defence spending plans
- US Defence Secretary criticized some Nato members
- John Healey warned the defence investment plan is insufficient
Mentioned in this story
Dan JarvisMark RuttePete HegsethJohn HealeyNatoBrussels
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said he is meeting his Nato counterparts at a "moment of challenge", as he arrived in Brussels without the UK's long-term military spending plan.
Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte has urged the alliance's members to present "clear, concrete and credible plans" for how they will raise defence spending ahead of a summit on 7 July.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also criticised some Nato members that have "yet to show a credible path" to higher defence spending.
Jarvis arrived at the meeting with details of the UK's long-delayed defence investment plan (DIP) yet to be published, amid warnings from defence chiefs of the need for more cash.
His predecessor John Healey resigned last week and warned the DIP "falls well short" of what is needed to protect the UK.
The UK government has vowed to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, in line with Nato commitments.
But Healey said the DIP presented to him only set out "a rise at 0.08% from next year to 2030", with "no date for reaching 3%, no path to 3.5%".
The plan was "backloaded" when the need to "speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years," he said in his resignation letter.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of the defence staff, echoed the concerns as he warned the armed forces will have to "dial back" training and operations if they do not receive more cash than is currently being offered.
The DIP, which was initially expected in autumn 2025, was due to be published last week but was delayed further following Healey's resignation.
Discussions are ongoing within government about defence spending.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week said that Jarvis has his "own thoughts now on what the priorities should be", although there has been no suggestion from Downing Street that extra cash will be found.
Jarvis did not mention the DIP as he spoke to reporters ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers on Thursday.
He said: "It's very clear to me, as the new defence secretary for the United Kingdom, that this is a moment of challenge.
"The international security is incredibly challenging, and that's why this gathering here today is so particularly important."
Jarvis said the talks offered a "very good opportunity to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to support Ukraine in their fight" against Russian President Vladimir Putin's "barbaric invasion".
Speaking at the opening of Thursday's summit, Hegseth was critical of those Nato countries that he believes are not yet showing how they will meet their spending commitments.
Q&A
What is the significance of the UK's long-term military spending plan?
The UK's long-term military spending plan is crucial for ensuring adequate defence capabilities and meeting Nato's expectations for increased spending.
Who criticized Nato members for lacking credible defence spending plans?
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized some Nato members for not showing a credible path to higher defence spending.
What did Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte urge member countries to do?
Mark Rutte urged Nato member countries to present clear, concrete, and credible plans for raising defence spending.
Why did John Healey resign as Defence Secretary?
John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary due to concerns that the long-delayed defence investment plan falls short of what is needed to protect the UK.
