At a NATO summit in the Netherlands, leaders are set to approve a significant increase in defense spending, aiming for each member nation to allocate five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to security. This decision comes amid rising concerns about threats from Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that there would be no exceptions to this new spending goal, stating that all allies must contribute fairly to the alliance’s defense efforts.
Rutte made it clear that NATO would not allow any country to opt out or negotiate separate agreements regarding this spending increase. He stressed the importance of collective responsibility among member nations. However, Spain has already announced it will not meet the five percent target, claiming a deal with NATO to spend only 2.1 percent of its GDP on defense. This has raised eyebrows, especially since the U.S. has previously suggested that such spending targets should not apply to it, but only to its allies.
The proposed five percent target breaks down into two parts. The first is a commitment to raise core defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP, up from the current minimum of two percent. Currently, only 22 out of the 32 NATO members meet this two percent benchmark. The second part allows for additional spending on infrastructure and capabilities, such as improving roads and cyber defense, which is easier for countries like Spain to achieve.
Spain currently spends about 1.28 percent of its GDP on defense, making it the lowest spender in NATO. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that Spain can fulfill its obligations with the lower percentage, but this has led to questions about how other countries with similar challenges, like Canada and Italy, will respond to the increased demands.
The urgency for increased spending stems from a perceived existential threat from Russia. European leaders are increasingly aware of the need to bolster their defenses against potential aggression. NATO experts argue that to effectively defend against such threats, investments of at least three percent of GDP are necessary.
As part of this new strategy, NATO plans to review progress on defense spending every four years. The U.S. insists that these commitments cannot be indefinite and is pushing for a clear deadline. Initially, there was talk of a 2032 target, but it seems 2035 may be the more likely year for full compliance.
Rutte also noted that NATO would closely monitor each member’s spending and progress toward these goals. As the alliance faces the realities of modern warfare and geopolitical tensions, the commitment to increased defense spending reflects a collective understanding of the challenges ahead.