NATO Increases Defence Spending to 5% of GDP by 2035
The 32 member states of NATO have unanimously agreed to increase their defence spending to five per cent of GDP over the next ten years. This was stated in the final joint declaration of the NATO summit in The Hague, published on Wednesday. Reports 24brussels.
“Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations,” the declaration stated. This increase is deemed necessary in light of “profound security threats and challenges, particularly the long-term threat posed by Russia.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that the investments will enable the alliance to achieve a “quantum leap” in collective defence capabilities. U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the summit as “a big success.”
Core Tasks
The summit’s final declaration outlines a target comprising 3.5 per cent for core defence spending and 1.5 per cent for defence-related investments. Member states will be required to submit annual plans demonstrating a “credible, incremental path to reach this goal.” An evaluation of these plans will occur in 2029, taking into account the strategic environment and updated Capability Targets.
Members also reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance and to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
The declaration specifies that the investments are essential to provide NATO countries with the necessary armed forces, capabilities, supplies, infrastructure, readiness, and resilience for the core tasks of the alliance, which include deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.
Heads of state and government reiterated their commitment to collective defence as outlined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, stating that “an attack on one is an attack on all.”
Unanimous Decision
Before the summit, certain nations, including Belgium and Spain, opposed the new target. Ultimately, all NATO members confirmed the declaration establishing this target.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever commented, “As Europeans, we should realize that our long break from history is over, and that we have to take our own responsibility for the security of our own continent in a very difficult time,” during his address in The Hague.
Questions remain regarding Belgium’s approach to meet the new spending target, especially as it faces high budget deficits and national debt. “We have already decided to go to 2 per cent, which is a huge leap. But there are no plans to do more before 2029,” stated De Wever.
