Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A sobering new report warns that most NATO countries will need to double their current defense spending to adequately counter the long-term threat posed by Russia. The analysis, conducted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), suggests that the alliance's long-standing spending target is no longer sufficient for the new era of European insecurity.
For years, NATO members have aimed to spend at least 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense. However, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally changed the security landscape. The IISS report argues that a new, more realistic target of 3% of GDP will be necessary by 2035 to rebuild military capabilities and deter future aggression.
This represents a monumental financial and political challenge for the majority of the 32-member alliance. According to the IISS, only three nations—the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—are currently on a path to meet or exceed this potential new benchmark.
For other major European economies like Germany, Italy, and Canada, reaching a 3% target would require a massive and potentially unpopular reallocation of national resources, effectively doubling their current defense budgets.
The challenge is amplified by the fact that many nations are still struggling to meet the existing 2% goal. In 2023, only 10 members managed to hit this target.
The report also highlights that the problem isn't just about money. It's also about industrial capacity. Even if budgets were increased overnight, the defense industries in many countries are not currently equipped to produce the required volume of tanks, ammunition, and advanced weaponry in a timely manner.
Ultimately, the IISS analysis paints a stark picture: the war in Ukraine has forced a critical reassessment of what it truly costs to ensure collective defense. The debate is no longer about reaching a symbolic spending target but about making the hard choices required to prepare for a more dangerous and unpredictable world.
50 Keywords for Google Search
Read More: Khamenei Defends Hijab and Slams Western Culture in Strong Speech
