- Pistorius on NATO: We must exceed the two percent target
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius continues to view increasing military spending beyond NATO's two percent target as necessary in uncertain times. Speaking at a conference of scientists and military personnel from the U.S. Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) in Honolulu, he cited threats from Russia and growing tensions driven by Chinese claims of power.
Currently, two-thirds of NATO allies meet the target of allocating two percent of their GDP to defense, and Germany is spending 150 percent more than it did a decade ago, the SPD politician said on Thursday in Hawaii. "We cannot and must not stop. We must go beyond the two percent target. And given Russian aggression, we must do this quickly," said Pistorius. "This is a clear call - also to my own government."
Germany meets the NATO target with the 100 billion euro fund for the Bundeswehr ("Special Fund"), which finances large procurement projects for the troops and simultaneously meets the NATO target.
The regular defense budget is set to grow by only 1.25 billion euros to around 52 billion euros in the coming year, according to the coalition's draft budget - less than Pistorius deems necessary. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has stated that the defense budget will rise to 80 billion euros by 2028, after the special fund has been exhausted.
The war in Ukraine remains the biggest problem for Europe's security. In his speech to the institute, which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense, Pistorius emphasized the importance of the partnership with the U.S. for Germany. He noted that Germany is now contributing more to deterrence and defense capability, and cited the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania. "Germany has a central role in defending NATO's eastern flank," he said.
For Europe's security, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region is also a concern, with states expressing growing unease about the actions of the Chinese government. Pistorius said it is up to China to adhere to the international rule-based order, otherwise it risks jeopardizing its own economic success story.
The Commission, in adherence to Article 11 (2), is expected to adopt the implementing acts that will further strengthen NATO's defense capabilities, considering the increased security threats. Recognizing the necessity to exceed the two percent defense spending target, Boris Pistorius advocates for the Commission to expedite the adoption of these acts, as outlined in Article 11 (2).
