The alliance is discussing new military capability targets to update those set before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO aims to finalize these targets by early June when defense ministers will convene in Brussels.
According to an alliance official cited by Bloomberg, meeting the new targets would require significant financial commitments from most European allies and Canada, while US spending would remain unchanged. The discussions come amid ongoing concerns over potential Russian aggression and efforts by US President Donald Trump to shift more of the defense burden onto NATO’s other member states. Trump has pressed allies to increase their defense spending, arguing that NATO members have relied too heavily on US military support.
Under the proposed targets, the increased stockpiles would take between five and 15 years to implement and are expected to strengthen European and Canadian forces within NATO, reducing reliance on the US. While the US already meets the proposed levels with its current equipment, most NATO allies would have to raise defense spending to more than 3 percent of their gross domestic product. Trump has previously demanded that allies spend 5 percent.
Allied nations anticipate a reduction in the US troop presence in Europe as Washington shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific region due to threats like China. However, the US would remain crucial for intelligence, reconnaissance, logistics, and nuclear capabilities.
The areas targeted for enhancement include air defense systems, long-range strike capabilities, logistics, communication networks, and land maneuver forces, according to Bloomberg. Air defense systems, in particular, are an area where all NATO members, including the US, need increased capability.
