The Hague: Leaders of NATO member states have officially committed to increasing defense spending to five percent of GDP for each member state by 2035, as concluded at their summit in The Hague, Netherlands.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the "Hague Summit Declaration" released after the North Atlantic Council meeting describes the agreement as a step aimed at enhancing the Alliance's defense readiness to address growing challenges, particularly the threats posed by Russia and terrorism. The declaration reaffirms NATO's dedication to collective defense, as articulated in Article Five of the Washington Treaty, and emphasizes the importance of protecting citizens and defending democratic values.
The five percent GDP commitment will be divided into two main categories, with 3.5 percent allocated directly to essential defense needs and achieving NATO capability targets, while the remaining 1.5 percent will be directed towards broader defense and security-related expenses. This includes the protection of critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, innovation, and enhancing the readiness of the defense industry.
The declaration also calls on member states to submit "credible annual plans" outlining their phased approach towards achieving these targets. These commitments will undergo review in 2029, considering strategic developments and evolving security challenges.
NATO leaders confirmed that support for Ukraine will be included in the calculation of national defense spending, noting that Ukraine's security is integral to the overall security of the Alliance. This includes ongoing military assistance and support for Ukraine's defense industrial base.
On the industrial front, the declaration emphasizes the need to expand transatlantic defense industrial cooperation, eliminate intra-Alliance defense trade barriers, and leverage modern technologies to enhance collective security. NATO leaders expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for hosting the summit and announced that the next NATO summit would be held in Turkiye in 2026, followed by a subsequent summit in Albania.