Germany Says Its Defense Spending Could Increase to 3.5% of GDP
- Defense minister concedes finding funds will be challenging
- Chancellor pledges to hit NATO target until after next decade
A Germany army main battle tank Leopard 2A6
Photographer: Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images
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Germany could increase military spending to as much as 3.5% of economic output as it ramps up investment to reverse years of neglect of the armed forces, according to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
A commitment by NATO members to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense “can only be the starting point” and European nations need more capable armed forces as they expand their engagement around the globe, Pistorius said Saturday during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference.