Pistorius: “Over the two percent threshold, and quickly”
In his speech to the security policy think tank in Hawaii, the Federal Minister of Defense committed to spending two percent of Germany’s economic output on defense. But it should not remain at these two percent of gross domestic product. Pistorius said “we must go beyond the two percent threshold, and quickly in view of Russia’s behavior.” The SPD politician added: “This is a clear request – also to my own government.”
Germany is spending 150 percent more on defense than it did ten years ago, said Pistorius. It is meeting NATO’s target with the 100 billion euro pot for the Bundeswehr, the “special fund”, which is financed through debt. This will finance major procurement projects for the troops and Germany is also meeting NATO’s target. According to the draft budget of the traffic light coalition leaders, the regular defense budget will only grow by 1.25 billion euros next year from the current level of around 52 billion euros. That is less than Pistorius considers necessary. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has declared that the defense budget will rise to 80 billion euros from 2028 – when the special fund has been used up.
Ukraine war remains the biggest problem for Europe’s security
In his speech to the institute, which is affiliated with the US Department of Defense, Pistorius emphasized the importance of the partnership with the USA for Germany. He confirmed that Germany is now doing more to ensure deterrence and defense capabilities and also referred to the ongoing stationing of a Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania. “Germany has a central role in defending NATO’s eastern flank,” he said. The war in Ukraine remains the biggest problem for security in Europe.
The Minister of Defense is traveling to South Korea today. At the end of the week he will travel on to the Philippines.
