Only three NATO members meet the new defence target

All NATO members are expected to meet the longstanding target of spending 2% of GDP on defence this year, but only three currently reach a new, higher target set by alliance leaders in June, according to NATO data released Thursday.

Military spending across NATO has risen sharply in recent years, spurred by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and calls from U.S. leaders for European allies to invest more in their own defence. Last year, more than 10 of NATO’s 32 members fell short of the 2% goal agreed in 2014.

Figures for 2025 show all allies meeting the target, with seven just at the 2% minimum and several slightly above. Poland leads in defence spending as a share of GDP at 4.48%, followed by Lithuania at 4% and Latvia at 3.73%. These three countries are currently the only NATO members exceeding the new 3.5% target agreed at the June summit in The Hague.

The new goal is part of a broader plan to reach 5% of GDP on defence and security-related investments by 2035, covering areas such as cybersecurity and infrastructure upgrades for military logistics.

Speaking at the opening of a Rheinmetall ammunition factory in Unterluess, Germany, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the increased spending but stressed that funding alone does not guarantee security.

“Cash alone doesn’t provide security,” he said. “Deterrence doesn’t come from 5%. Deterrence comes from the capability to fight potential enemies.”

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