NATO member states have reached a consensus on significantly increasing their defense spending, setting a new target of allocating at least five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense by 2035. Of this amount, 3.5 percent is designated for traditional military expenditures. This agreement signifies a pivotal shift in NATO's strategic approach, largely influenced by perceived threats from Russia and the insistence of the United States, particularly under the urging of former President Donald Trump.
The decision places a considerable burden on some member nations, especially those like Germany, for whom meeting this target would entail substantial increases in defense budgets. Germany, for instance, would see its defense spending rise to approximately 225 billion euros annually. Other countries, such as Estonia and Poland, are already close to or exceeding the three percent mark, thus facing a less daunting adjustment.
This agreement also reflects a broader strategy to enhance conventional deterrence capabilities and infrastructure development, with additional funds earmarked for combating terrorism and building military-use infrastructure. The NATO summit in The Hague, where this agreement is set to be ratified, is anticipated to be a landmark event, underscoring the alliance's commitment to collective security and burden-sharing.
While most NATO members have aligned with the new spending goals, Spain initially resisted but eventually relented after securing an exemption from immediate compliance. The move has sparked protests and criticism, with some arguing that such an increase in military spending could provoke regional tensions and strain national budgets. Nonetheless, the agreement marks a unified stance among NATO countries to bolster their defense capabilities in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
