UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on June 13 that the UK government will publish its defence investment plan ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara scheduled for July 7-8, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. A Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer "updated on plans for the defence investment plan, underlining his commitment to publish it ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara" [1].
Starmer and Rutte agreed that NATO allies must strengthen collective defence and deliver faster responses to evolving threats [1, 2, 3]. The NATO Secretary General welcomed the UK's increased defence investment as an "important contribution to the alliance and to meeting the threats we face," according to the Downing Street spokesperson [1].
The UK defence investment plan was originally scheduled for publication last year but faced delays [2, 3]. Starmer reiterated his goal to raise UK defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next parliament term [2, 3]. He emphasized that national security remains the government's top priority despite difficult budget decisions [2, 3].
However, there is rising political pressure on Starmer following the resignation of former UK Defence Secretary John Healey on June 11. Healey criticized the government for not providing sufficient resources for national security [2, 3].
The NATO summit will bring together allies in Ankara on July 7-8 to discuss collective defence and security challenges [2, 3]. Starmer’s publication of the UK's defence investment plan is scheduled ahead of the summit as a concrete step to demonstrate the UK’s commitments within the alliance.
