NATO spent a record 2% of GDP on defense

Stoltenberg spoke about record spending on NATO/Collage 24 Channel

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expects the number of NATO members spending 2% of GDP on defense to rise to 18 this year .

Compared to 2014, this is a six-fold increase and generally a record. Stoltenberg announced this during a press conference on the eve of the Ramstein meeting, reports the correspondent of 24 Channel in Brussels.

A colossal amount is being invested in defense

Stoltenberg noted that NATO member states are making “real progress.” He added that the Alliance's European allies will invest $380 billion in defense this year.

This year I expect the 18 members of the Alliance to spend 2% of GDP on defense. This is another record number and a six-fold increase compared to 2014, when only three Alliance members reached this goal, Stoltenberg said.

He added that some NATO member states still have work to do, since during Vilnius the allies agreed to invest at least 2% of GDP in defense. This strengthening of defense has been taking place since 2014 in response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the occupation of Crimea.

Increasing investment in NATO by member countries/NATO Infographics

Jens Stoltenberg noted that over the course of 10 years, member states strengthened NATO by increasing the number of troops in the eastern part of the Alliance and investing in new, modern capabilities. The NATO chief also responded to Trump, who plans to encourage Russia to attack member states that do not spend enough on defense.

We must not leave room for miscalculations or Moscow's misunderstanding of our readiness and our devotion, our determination to defend all allies. And the reason for this is not to provoke a conflict, but to prevent a conflict, which NATO has been successfully doing for 75 years, noted Jens Stoltenberg.

The Secretary General added that during the meeting of defense ministers in Brussels they will also discuss further expansion of ammunition production. Over the past few months, NATO has awarded $10 billion in contracts and this week Germany began construction of a new projectile plant. Stoltenberg expects the plant to produce about 200 thousand ammunition per year.