Not so much because US President Donald Trump is demanding it, but because awareness is spreading in Germany that military aggression cannot be stopped with nice words.
That's roughly what the new German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadeful, announced at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya, Turkey, that the new German government should invest as much as five percent of GDP in defense in the future.
Germany, according to the minister, supports NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's proposal to allocate 3,5 percent for military needs and an additional 1,5 percent for defense infrastructure.
The final decision and plans of all NATO members will likely only be heard at the NATO summit in late June in The Hague.
And Chancellor Friedrich Mertz announced in his address to the Bundestag that he wants to develop the Bundeswehr into "the conventionally strongest army in Europe."
But other European countries also set ambitious goals:
Poland: Rampart on the eastern wing
For years, Poland has been investing intensively in the armed forces with the aim of becoming the strongest land power in Europe. Last year, 4,12 percent of GDP went to the defense budget.
Warsaw's main goal is to be effectively armed so that Russia does not even think of threatening its territory.
The Polish army currently has around 150.000 soldiers in the professional army and territorial defense. By 2035, that number should rise to 300.000.
Equipping with modern military equipment is underway: more than 600 tanks - ordered, among other things, from South Korea and the USA - then HIMARS missile systems, drones, and in the future F-35 fighter jets should become the equipment of the Polish infantry and air force.
On the other hand, the Polish navy is considered relatively weak.
Germany: From wavering to leading role?
The announced increase in defense spending to five percent of GDP would mark a historic turning point in security policy.
Since the end of the Cold War, the Federal Republic of Germany has insisted on international cooperation, diplomacy, and a “culture of military restraint.” The turning point was marked by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s speech on February 27, 2022, three days after the Russian attack on Ukraine, known as the announcement of a “new era” (Zeitenwende).
Immediately afterwards, the German government established a special fund of 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr. Regular defense spending for 2024 amounts to around 90 billion euros, which is around 2,1 percent of GDP. An increase to five percent would mean an annual defense budget of over 160 billion euros.
Twice as much expenditure would certainly place a heavy burden on the state budget, and no additional funds have been secured so far.
The Bundeswehr currently has around 182.000 active soldiers. The Ministry of Defense plans an increase to at least 203.000 by 2031, while the goal of 240.000 is occasionally mentioned.
Modernization encompasses all branches of the military: old tanks, aircraft, and warships need to be replaced, and the emphasis is also on digitalization and improving the chain of command. Because even in German arsenals, many weapons and equipment exist "only on paper" because in the past there was no money for their maintenance.
Key industrial players in Germany are Rheinmetall, Airbus Defense and Space, and Dill-Group, but international cooperation is increasingly prominent in this sector because exports are also extremely important.
France: A nuclear power with global ambitions
France is the only nuclear power in the EU and leads a strategy of global presence and military independence. About 203.000 soldiers serve in the army, with 175.000 members of units such as the Gendarmerie and about 26.000 reservists.
The French Navy has the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and strategic submarines, giving it a strong nuclear capability. Rafale fighter jets provide air superiority and are also equipped to use nuclear weapons.
President Emmanuel Macron has significantly increased the defense budget since taking office in 2017. In a dramatic televised address in early March, he spoke in detail about the “Russian threat” looming over Europe. As a result, France’s defense budget is set to almost double.
France has had a similar military budget to Germany in the past, but has used it to build a more combat-effective army – not least thanks to state encouragement of the defense industry and state co-ownership.
Great Britain: Well armed but vulnerable
With a target of almost 2,4 percent of GDP, the UK also plans to increase defense spending, with an emphasis on high-tech equipment: drones, artificial intelligence and laser systems.
The Royal Navy has two aircraft carriers, although only one is operational. The air force is highly modernized - its core is made up of American F-35B fighter jets, of which the British government plans to acquire a total of 138.
However, the British armed forces of around 140.000 active troops (including 4000 Gurkhas) are relatively small. Unlike many EU countries, no major staff increases are currently foreseen.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizes loyalty to alliances and global readiness for interventions. British military equipment is heavily dependent on American technology, especially when it comes to nuclear weapons on submarines.
Italy: Strength at sea and in the air, weak on land
With 1,49 percent of GDP according to NATO data for 2024, Italy is still below the current target of two percent.
However, with 165.000 active soldiers, two aircraft carriers, and a strong air force that includes Eurofighters and F-35s, Italy falls into the more difficult military category in Europe.
However, the ground forces are considered outdated and in dire need of reform. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to make Italy the strongest tank force in Europe.
For this purpose, more than 1.000 battle and multi-purpose tanks have been ordered from Rheinmetall. Italy's strategic focus is the Mediterranean and the security of global trade routes.
Global power relations remain unchanged
Despite billions of euros invested in armaments in Europe, the global military power structure will not change significantly in the medium term. The United States remains at the top, followed by Russia, China and India.
The leading European power – Great Britain – comes in sixth place. France follows in ninth place, and Germany currently occupies eleventh place.
The Global Firepower platform compares the military strength of countries according to more than 60 indicators - from the number of tanks, naval capacity, to the size of the capable military population - to get a comprehensive picture of global military power.
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