Britain propped up Europe’s defence after other EU states short-changed Nato by £338billion
Shelling out £214billion since 2012, Britain remains just one of five out of 28 alliance members to meet its key 2% of GDP annual target
BRITAIN is propping up Europe’s defence after it emerged other EU states short-changed NATO by an eye-watering £338billion over the last five years.
A new report reveals the UK now accounts for almost a third of all defence spending across the EU.
Shelling out £214billion since 2012, Britain remains just one of five out of 28 alliance members to meet its key 2% of GDP annual target.
The research by the Henry Jackson Society think tank reveals just how dependent the rest of the continent is on Britain.
Academics last night said it will boost Theresa May’s hand during Brexit negotiations, which will include a security treaty.
It emerged that Germany underspent the most, with the Berlin government falling short of its NATO spending target by 39%, or £ 106billion.
Italy short changed European security by £67billion, or 43%, and Spain by £56billion, missing its NATO target by 54%.
Even big military spender France fell short by £18billion, missing the NATO target by 9%.
The report’s author James Rogers said: “In recent months, the United Kingdom has been disparaged by many Europeans for its decision to leave the EU.
“This depiction is entirely unwarranted.
“Britain remains deeply committed to the security of Europe as the largest European military and foreign aid spender.
“Moreover, most European countries, insofar as they have short-changed both NATO and the world’s poorest people by hundreds of billions of dollars over the past five years, have their own shortcomings, which should not be overlooked.”