JOHN Healey today says NATO must “step up” and increase its military might – as he pushes for defence spending to hit 5 per cent of GDP.

The Defence Secretary said this week’s NATO summit will be a “defining moment for our alliance and for Britain’s security” as we confront a more dangerous world.

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Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to open the new BAE Systems artillery factory in Sheffield[/caption]

And as war between Iran and Israel rages, he said “Britain stands ready” to send more RAF jets to protect UK bases in the Middle East.

Keir Starmer is meeting fellow NATO leaders for crunch talks this week as the bloc is poised to agree a new target to spend 5 per cent on defence and security by 2032.

It comes after Donald Trump said the bloc is shirking its responsibilities and the days of America paying for Europe’s protection are over.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday, Mr Healey said: “We’re living in a more dangerous and unpredictable world. 

Reuters

Donald Trump has said NATO is shirking its responsibilities and the days of America paying for Europe’s protection are over[/caption]

This Summit is a defining moment for our alliance and for Britain’s security.

“It’s a moment where NATO allies will pledge to step up on defence spending to boost our collective security. 

“President Trump and NATO chief, Mark Rutte, are right: the current NATO spending pledge – to spend at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence – is a relic of a past era.  

“We are now in a new era of threat. And as threats increase, defence spending must too.”

He added: “It’s why this week, at NATO we will discuss a new, higher spending target. And Britain is up for that discussion.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is pushing for the bloc to spend 5 per cent of GDP on a new defence and security by 2032.

This would be made up of 3.5 per cent for core military spending and 1.5 per cent on broader security related areas like infrastructure resilience.

Spain is reportedly kicking off at the new target and may try to block it.

But while Mr Healey does not explicitly commit to the new target in today’s article, he backs talking about hiking spending.

Britain faces a more “dangerous and unpredictable world” as Iran and Israel trade missiles and Russian troops continue to fight in Ukraine, he warned.

Amid spiralling tensions in the Middle East, the PM has already sent Typhoon fighter jets to the region.

Mr Healey said he is prepared to send more there if security fears grow.

He writes: “Force protection for our bases and personnel is at the highest level and I won’t rule out sending more capabilities if needed. Because Britain stands ready.”