Germany will increase defence spending to 4 percent of gross domestic product this year as Europe accelerates military preparedness in response to mounting geopolitical tensions, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Friday.
Speaking at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden, Wadephul said Berlin was also moving toward the alliance’s longer-term target of spending 5 percent of GDP on defence.
The announcement marks a significant escalation in Germany’s military commitments and reflects a broader shift in European security policy since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
“NATO allies agreed last year to work toward the 5 percent target by 2035,” Wadephul said, signalling Germany’s intention to align itself with the alliance’s expanded defence ambitions.
The move would represent one of the largest increases in military spending in modern German history, reversing decades of relatively cautious defence policy shaped by the country’s post-war political culture.
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Germany has faced sustained pressure from NATO partners, particularly the United States, to increase military expenditure and strengthen Europe’s collective defence capabilities.
Wadephul said the increased spending demonstrates Berlin’s commitment to NATO and to maintaining security across Europe amid continued instability linked to the conflict in Ukraine and broader regional threats.
He also announced plans for closer cooperation between European and Ukrainian defence industries, saying Ukraine’s future military requirements should continue to be financed by European NATO members and Canada.
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The remarks highlight ongoing Western efforts to institutionalise long-term support for Kyiv as the conflict with Russia continues with no clear resolution in sight.
Germany has become one of Ukraine’s leading European backers since the war began, supplying military hardware, financial assistance and training support despite domestic political debates over the scale of involvement.
Wadephul also addressed reports of a planned reduction in the U.S. military presence in Germany, saying Washington’s decision to reposition troops had long been expected.
He welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy 5,000 troops to Poland, describing the move as part of broader NATO force adjustments aimed at reinforcing the alliance’s eastern flank.
Germany remains one of the most important operational hubs for NATO in Europe and hosts a large number of American military personnel and infrastructure.
Analysts say Berlin’s planned increase in defence spending underscores how profoundly Europe’s security environment has changed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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The proposed spending rise is likely to intensify debate within Germany over budget priorities and fiscal sustainability, particularly as the government balances military expansion with pressure to maintain social and economic spending.
Supporters of the increase argue that stronger defence capabilities are necessary to deter future threats and reduce Europe’s dependence on U.S. military protection.
Critics, however, have warned that rapidly expanding defence budgets could place strain on public finances and divert resources from welfare, infrastructure and climate-related investment.
The German government has not yet released detailed plans on how the additional defence funding will be allocated, though officials say the money is expected to support procurement, military modernisation, infrastructure upgrades and industrial cooperation within NATO.
The announcement comes as several European countries reassess defence priorities and expand military budgets amid concerns over regional security and uncertainty surrounding future U.S. commitments to Europe.
