NATO INCREASES DEFENCE SPENDING TARGET

Why in News : 

• NATO member countries, at the 2025 Hague Summit, have agreed to a major increase in defence spending, driven by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and future uncertainties over U.S. commitment to European defence.

What Has Changed?

Old Target:

• NATO members were committed to spending 2% of GDP on core defence (troops, weapons, equipment) since the 2014 Wales Summit.

New Target (to be met by 2035):

• 3.5% of GDP on core defence (military forces, arms, equipment).
• +1.5% of GDP on broader defence and security (cybersecurity, infrastructure for military mobility, energy pipelines, etc.).
• Total = 5% of GDP on defence and security.

Why This Decision?

Russia–Ukraine War Continuity:

• Russia’s invasion has redefined threat perception in Europe.

Possible Decline in U.S. Commitment:

• Concerns about Trump administration’s future decisions regarding NATO troop deployments.

Need for European Strategic Autonomy:

• Push for self-reliance in defence amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Cyber and Infrastructure Threats:

• Need to secure digital infrastructure, logistics routes, and energy supply chains.

Funding Mechanisms:

• Countries will individually decide how to raise funds.
• The EU allows temporary relaxation of fiscal rules for defence investment (1.5% extra GDP without triggering deficit penalties).
• New EU Defence Fund (150 billion euros): Joint EU borrowing to finance shared defence goals.

Geopolitical Implications:

• Could lead to a rebalancing within NATO, with Europe taking a more proactive role.
• May deepen the EU–NATO cooperation on defence integration and procurement.
• Signals a strategic shift from deterrence to preparedness and resilience.
• Likely to increase military budgets globally, pushing non-NATO countries to respond (e.g., China, Russia).

Critical Issues for Analysis:

1. Does this signal militarisation or strategic responsibility?
2. Is Europe’s increasing defence autonomy diluting NATO’s transatlantic core?
3. How will this shift affect India’s defence ties with European nations and NATO partners?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Type: Military and political alliance ensuring collective defence under Article 5.

Founded: 1949 via the North Atlantic Treaty (Washington D.C.).

HQ: Brussels, Belgium.

Members: 32 countries across Europe and North America.

Core Objectives

• Collective Defence: Attack on one = attack on all.
• Crisis Management: Stabilising global conflict zones.
• Cooperative Security: Through political dialogue and partnerships.

 Historical Evolution

• 1949 (Cold War): Created to counter Soviet expansion.
• 1950s–60s: Embraced nuclear deterrence.
• 1990s: Shifted to peacekeeping (e.g., Balkans).
• 2001–2021: Counterterrorism missions (e.g., Afghanistan).
• Present: Focus on cyber, energy, and hybrid threats.

Functional Architecture

• North Atlantic Council: Supreme political body of NATO.
• Strategic Commands:
  • ACO: Oversees military operations.
  • ACT: Drives military transformation.

• Cybersecurity & Hybrid Threats: Joint policies to counter cyberattacks.
• Energy Security: Safeguards energy infrastructure and resilience.
• Counterterrorism: Intelligence sharing, radicalisation prevention, targeted operations.

UPSC Relevance: GS2 – International Relations:NATO as a military alliance; implications for global geopolitics; Shifting transatlantic equations, U.S.–Europe defence dynamics. GS3 – Security:Global security architecture, defence preparedness, cyber warfare. Possible Mains Question: Q. In light of NATO’s revised defence spending targets, discuss the implications of Europe’s shifting defence strategy on global security and India’s strategic partnerships.