On Wednesday, NATO allies reached agreement to heighten their spending target on defense from 2% of gross domestic product to 5% by 2035, in the most decisive move from the alliance in over more than ten (10) years.
The Western Military Bloc said via a joint declaration, it was “united in the face of profound security threats and challenges,” in particular the long-term threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security and the “persistent threat” of terrorism.

It further declared, “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.”
NBC News reports: “the 5% figure is made up of “at least” 3.5% of GDP that should be spent on “pure” defense, with the remainder going to security and defense-related “critical infrastructure” to ensure, the statement said, “our civil preparedness and resilience, unleash innovation, and strengthen our defence industrial base.””
Allies will be mandated to put forth annual plans “showing a credible, incremental path to reach this goal,” NATO said, following unfavourable reaction from some member states, especially Spain.
Some member states are still struggling with meeting the 2014 target to spend 2% of GDP on defense.
The enormous decision is coming against a backdrop of tensions in the Middle East, as well as, ongoing fighting between Ukraine and Russia. Members have also been forced to the new target after years of pressure across both terms of U.S. President Donald Trump for Washington’s Canadian and European allies to share more of the burden of collective defense.
On Wednesday, the alliance also reaffirmed its “ironclad commitment to collective defence” as enshrined in Article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all, following question marks over the reliability on the United States (US) when it came to that central pillar of NATO.
According to the Statement: “We remain united and steadfast in our resolve to protect our one billion citizens, defend the Alliance, and safeguard our freedom and democracy.”
Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times