All NATO members projected to hit old spending target, with just three set to meet new goal

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO released data on Thursday showing that all its 32 members are projected to finally meet a longstanding goal of spending 2% of their overall economic output on defense this year, while only three meet a new goal set at 3.5% of GDP agreed in June.

A push for higher defense spending is one result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has created profound security concerns across Europe. It is also a reaction to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused European allies of not investing enough in their own security. Trump has warned Europeans that Washington might not defend those who fail to meet commitments.

All 32 alliance members are expected to reach the 2% goal this year for the first time, marking a significant change since 2023, when just 10 allies met that benchmark, the NATO report said.

Alliance members agreed at summit in June to hike defense spending from 2% to 3.5% and to require a further commitment of 1.5% of GDP for spending on other measures, such as upgrading roads, bridges, ports and airfields so armies can better deploy and establishing measures to counter cyber and hybrid attacks and preparing societies for future conflict.

https://apnews.com/article/europe-budget-target-spending-defense-nato-d9bb0df961326e6d738d537f4ba8dacd