The Spectator’s National Security Summit 2026 will bring together policymakers, industry and media to share their expertise, ideas and unique insights on the crucial opportunities and challenges facing the defence sector and the UK’s national security.

Increasing geopolitical instability – including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, rising cyber threats and Nato’s call for greater collective investment – has seen the target of 2.5 per cent GDP defence spending brought forward to 2027, with an ambition for 3 per cent in the next parliament and 5 per cent by 2035. But is that enough?

What should the money be spent on? The discussion around what constitutes an effective and sustainable national security strategy has never been more fraught.

The day’s events will include a networking breakfast, lunch and drinks reception, two keynote speeches and five panel sessions covering a range of topics.

Topics will include:

• With a cost-of-living crisis and unprecedented inflation, how do we justify and effectively finance an increase in defence capabilities through public-private sector partnership?
• Historically, every defence policy paper that successive governments have announced has been delivered late – will the government’s recently announced Defence Investment Plan fall victim to the same lack of urgency? For businesses, commitment of where investment will be spent, not just how much, is essential.
• Energy security for national security; how to solve the energy conundrum?
• AI, tech and the evolution of the defence industry; what does business need from the government in the next decade, and what should increased GDP contribution be spent on?
• Defence and UK plc; how investing in the sector supports economic growth and global competitiveness.