Germany prepared to meet 3.5 per cent NATO defence spending target by 2029

Moscow (ANTARA) - Germany will be able to reach the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) benchmark for defence spending of 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2029, stated German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on Tuesday.

“Defence spending will increase in 2027, and by 2029 we will achieve the NATO target of 3.5 per cent of GDP,” said Klingbeil while presenting the 2027 budget draft in the Bundestag.

In doing so, Germany will fully meet its commitments within NATO, Klingbeil said, adding that the rearmament programme is intended to maintain peace.

“We are investing in defence not for war,” the finance minister added.

United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Europe for what he perceives as insufficient contributions to NATO’s defence capabilities, calling for allies to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP.

NATO leaders at the 2025 summit in The Hague agreed to increase defence spending to 5 per cent by 2035. Of that figure, 3.5 per cent is allocated to direct defence spending, while 1.5 per cent is for security-related investments.