NATO will approve newly approved military purchases as it increases spending – state
NATO's defense secretary will set approval purchase targets on Thursday to stockpile weapons and military equipment on weapons and military equipment to better defend Europe, the Arctic and North Atlantic, part of the U.S. push for increased security spending.
The “capacity targets” set target equipment for each of the 32 countries, such as air defense systems, long-range missiles, artillery, ammunition, drones and “strategic enablers” such as air-to-air refueling, heavy air transport and logistics. Each country’s plans are classified, so there are few details.
“Today, we have determined our capacity goals. From there, we will evaluate the gaps we have, not only to defend ourselves, but three, five, seven years from now,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“All these investments must be funded,” he told reporters before presiding at the NATO headquarters meeting in Brussels. U.S. President Donald Trump and his NATO colleagues will meet from June 24 to 25 to agree to new defense investment goals.
Security issues for European allies and Canada have been increasing military spending, including weapons and ammunition, since Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Meanwhile, some allies have asked the U.S. to invest 5% of GDP in the Department of Defense – 3.5% of core military spending, roads, bridges, airports and seaports need to deploy troops faster, and 1.5% of the situation, they have worked to increase their budget to 2% of GDP.
Nevertheless, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said many people showed up for agreement.
“The promise is there. Five percent of defense spending,” he told reporters after he quit the meeting.
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“It's crucial when you consider the threats we face, the urgency in the world. We don't need more flags. We need more forms of battle. We don't need more meetings. We need more capabilities. Power.”
NATO defends its territory based on a blueprint agreed in 2023 (the largest planned reorganization of the military organization since the Cold War) to defend its territory against attacks by Russia or other major adversaries.
Under these plans, NATO aims to prepare 300,000 troops to move to its eastern flank within 30 days, although experts believe the Allies will work hard to summon the figures.
Member States have been appointed as roles in defending NATO territories in three major NATO regions (Highlands and Atlantic regions, areas north of the Alps, and another in Southern Europe).
NATO planners believe that given the speed at which Russia is now building armed forces, it must achieve its goals within five to ten years and that this will accelerate if any peace agreement is reached to end the war against Ukraine.
Some fear that Russia may be ready to attack NATO countries as soon as possible, especially if Western sanctions are relaxed and unprepared. “We're going to gather here again and say 'OK, we've failed a little' and then maybe we start learning Russian?” said Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilėšakalienė.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson also warned that although Russia is now in trouble in Ukraine, things may change soon.
“Of course, after a armistice or peace agreement, Russia will allocate more troops close to our vicinity. So it's been very important for the years that Russia has restricted its force posture in and around Ukraine,” Jonson said.
If the target is respected, member states will need to spend at least three percent of their GDP on defense.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said his country calculated in the medium term: “We should spend at least 3.5% on defense, which means an additional 1.6 to 19 billion euros ($1.8-2.2 billion) in the Netherlands to increase our current budget.”
The Netherlands may purchase more tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and long-range missile systems, including the American-made Patriots that can target aircraft, cruise missiles and shorter ballistic missiles.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
