NATO allies will have to spend much closer to three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on their militaries to implement the alliance's new defense plans, Rob Bauer, a senior NATO military official, said on Monday, according to Reuters.
Thus, the costs would exceed the current two percent investment in the armies of the member states, which was outlined as the current goal of the Alliance.
The total percentage needed to make the new plans feasible is much closer to three percent of GDP than two percent, NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer said in Brussels.
"I expect that under the new administration of Donald Trump in the US there will be a much more intense discussion about how much more Europe and Canada should invest, and that is a healthy and valid discussion that should be held," Bauer said.
In his previous presidential term, Donald Trump warned the Alliance about the low defense costs of its member states, which then spent less than two percent of GDP on their armies.
NATO has repeatedly hinted this year that Alliance members should increase investments in their defense capabilities.
The former NATO leader, Jens Stoltenberg, said in September that the 32 members of the Alliance must "be ready to pay the price of peace" in dealing with Russia.
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