On Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte sharply criticized the defense industry of NATO countries, stating that the weapons they produce are insufficient in quantity, overpriced, and slow to be delivered. NATO is currently striving to support Ukraine and enhance defense against Russia.
After the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Rutte told reporters that the current target of defense spending accounting for 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is insufficient to effectively deter future attacks. He expressed his belief that the 2% goal is simply not enough to maintain the current deterrence capability in the long term.
Rutte did not explicitly state whether he believes a new target of 3% should be set, but he emphasized that NATO not only needs to increase defense spending but also ensure that the expenditure provides better value.
He highlighted that the defense industry’s production is insufficient, prices are too high, and delivery speeds are too slow, emphasizing the need for increased shifts and production lines. Rutte remarked that paying more for the same product, with shareholders receiving hefty kickbacks, is unacceptable.
He mentioned that some NATO countries are seeking cooperation with defense industries in South Korea because “our own defense companies cannot meet our production needs.”
In recent years, NATO member countries of the transatlantic military alliance have significantly increased defense spending, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
NATO expects that this year, 23 out of its 32 member countries will meet the goal of defense spending accounting for 2% of GDP. In 2014, when the target was set, only three countries met the mark.
Former U.S. President Trump once stated that NATO countries should increase the defense spending goal to 3% of their respective GDPs. He also remarked that the U.S. would not protect “derelict” countries.
After Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine a decade ago, NATO leaders reached a consensus to halt defense reductions since the end of the Cold War and set military budgets to 2% of GDP.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago, NATO leaders unanimously agree that the 2% target should be seen as the floor for defense spending, not the ceiling.
According to the Associated Press, a highly classified new plan formulated by NATO outlines that in case of emergencies, NATO intends to deploy up to 300,000 troops to its eastern front within 30 days. The plan also specifies which member countries are responsible for responding to attacks along the eastern front from the Arctic to the Baltic Sea.
NATO senior officials acknowledge that in order to successfully execute this plan, countries may need to allocate 3% of their GDP to defense.
(Adapted from Reuters reporting)