NATO’s latest annual report reveals a significant milestone: for the first time, all member states have met the alliance’s target of dedicating 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defense spending in 2025. This achievement underscores a strengthened collective commitment to security among allies.
The report specifically highlights Spain’s progress, confirming it reached the 2% GDP mark in military expenditure by the end of 2025, despite historically being among the countries with the lowest defense spending. Other allies previously needing to increase their contributions, such as Albania, Belgium, Canada, and Portugal, have also now met this critical benchmark.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte publicly praised Spain’s efforts, stating: “Let me begin by commending Spain, because at the beginning of last year, Spanish defense spending was around 1.3, 1.4%. And in April, I received a call from Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister, saying that we will go up to 2%. That’s what he did. These are billions and billions extra structurally put into defense by Spain.”
Rutte further explained that this increase in defense spending reflects escalating security concerns across the alliance, particularly with Vladimir Putin’s Russia continuing to be identified as the primary threat. While the 2% objective has been fully achieved, NATO leaders are already advocating for a more ambitious target of 5% in the coming years. This more aggressive future goal is reportedly leading to internal divisions concerning the pace at which member countries should further accelerate their defense investments.