NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to call for a massive increase in the alliance’s air and missile defence systems, urging member states to boost their capabilities by 400% in response to the growing threat posed by Russia. The statement is expected during Rutte’s official visit to London on Monday, marking his first major policy speech since assuming office.
According to excerpts released in advance by NATO, Rutte will emphasize the need for a “quantum leap in our collective defence” amid rising global instability and heightened geopolitical tensions. He is expected to argue that bolstering NATO’s integrated air and missile defence systems is critical not only to deter Russian aggression but also to safeguard European airspace from evolving threats, including advanced missile technology.
The call comes at a time when many NATO members are grappling with budget constraints and rising defence expenditures due to ongoing support for Ukraine and modernisation efforts. Rutte’s comments aim to rally support among allies ahead of the NATO Summit scheduled for July in Washington, D.C., where long-term defence planning and burden-sharing will be key discussion points.
While NATO countries have increased defence spending in recent years, Rutte is expected to stress that incremental improvements are no longer sufficient. He will advocate for a unified, accelerated approach to procurement, technology sharing, and operational coordination to secure Europe’s skies. Analysts believe Rutte’s push for rapid defence scaling will test alliance unity, but also reflects growing urgency to prepare NATO for high-intensity conflict scenarios in an increasingly volatile global environment.
