At a Sunday meeting with the Washington Examiner editorial board, I asked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about Germany’s spending target of 1.5 percent of GDP on defense by 2024. Stoltenberg responded, “It’s a significant step in the right direction.” But the former Norwegian prime minister added, “We will continue to push for more.”
Stoltenberg’s hedged answer is justified.
While Germany is increasing defense spending, its efforts remain lackluster. Abandoning her previous pledge to reach the NATO target figure of 2 percent of GDP defense spending by 2024, Chancellor Angela Merkel is now aiming for just 1.5 percent by 2024. It’s not enough.
In 2019, the German armed forces are woefully underfunded, lacking basic operational capability. This contrasts with other NATO states such as the Baltic nations, Britain, France, and Poland, which have all boosted their defense spending. Germany should follow the example of Stoltenberg’s home nation, Norway. Facing U.S. pressure against watering down its own defense spending hikes, Norway will keep aiming for 2 percent of GDP spending by 2024. Norway is also playing a more important role in supporting NATO’s deterrence against Russian threats in and around the Barents Sea.
Nevertheless, when it comes to increased defense spending in Europe, Stoltenberg was clear about the primary cause. “President Trump’s clear message is really having an impact.” Stoltenberg continued, “NATO allies have heard him loud and clear … before [many NATO members] were cutting billions, now they’re adding billions.”
Let’s hope Germany pays heed. If not, the U.S. should relocate most of its military base presence in Germany to Poland.
