Pistorius calls for a rise in the two percent target
Defense Minister Pistorius would have liked significantly more money for the German military than what Finance Minister is willing to grant. He argues that Germany will meet NATO's two-percent target, but Pistorius finds this target too low.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius continues to advocate for increasing military spending beyond NATO's two-percent target, especially in uncertain times. Speaking before scientists and military personnel at the U.S. Institute for Asian Pacific Security (APCSS) in Honolulu, he cited threats from Russia and growing tensions driven by Chinese power aspirations.
Currently, two-thirds of NATO allies meet the target of allocating two percent of their GDP to defense, and Germany spends 150 percent more than it did ten years ago, said the SPD politician in Hawaii. "We cannot and must not stop. We must go beyond the two-percent target, and given the Russian aggression, we must do so quickly," said Pistorius. "This is a clear call - also to my own government."
NATO target is met with a tight budget
Germany meets the NATO target with the 100 billion euro special fund for the military, which is financed through debt. Large procurement projects for the troops are funded from this, and Germany simultaneously meets the NATO target. According to the coalition leaders' draft budget, the regular defense budget will grow by only 1.25 billion euros next year, much less than Pistorius considers necessary. His party colleague, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has announced that the defense budget will rise to 80 billion euros by 2028, when the special fund is exhausted. FDP Defense Minister Christian Lindner has repeatedly emphasized that NATO's two-percent target will be met with the currently planned defense budget.
In his speech at the institute, which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense, Pistorius stressed the importance of the partnership with the U.S. for Germany. He confirmed that Germany is now contributing more to deterrence and defense capability, citing the ongoing deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania. "Germany plays a central role in defending NATO's eastern flank," he said. The war in Ukraine remains the greatest problem for European security. Regarding the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, Pistorius noted growing concern among states about the actions of the Chinese government. He said it is up to China to adhere to the international rule-based order, as otherwise, it also endangers its own economic success story.
Despite facing budget constraints, Defense Minister Pistorius maintains that Germany should strive to surpass NATO's two-percent target, as he believes it to be insufficient given current global threats. Despite meeting the NATO target with a special fund and a growing defense budget, Pistorius argues that it is crucial for Germany to exceed this threshold for enhanced security.
