Former NATO Secretary General: The British public is not aware of the necessity of increasing defense spending.

Former NATO Secretary General George Robertson has stated that increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP would be "painful" for some European countries, including the UK. In an interview, Robertson said, "This will be painful and difficult, requiring politicians to explain the real dangers and risks that exist." He served as UK Defense Secretary from 1997-1999 and as NATO Secretary General from 1999-2003. He believes that the British public currently "is not aware" of the country's lack of a comprehensive air and missile defense system, and if people "become aware of this, opinions on the necessity of increasing defense spending may change."