NATO countries should target military spending of 2.5% of GDP, Estonia says

NATO countries need to increase their defence spending to 2.5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), instead of the current target of 2%, Estonian Defence minister Hanno Pevkur said on Thursday. "In the past 30 years we have not invested enough in our defence," Pevkur said before a meeting with his colleagues from other NATO member states. "It has led to big gaps in our defence capabilities.

NATO countries need to increase their defence spending to 2.5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), instead of the current target of 2%, Estonian Defence minister Hanno Pevkur said on Thursday.

"In the past 30 years we have not invested enough in our defence," Pevkur said before a meeting with his colleagues from other NATO member states.

"It has led to big gaps in our defence capabilities. Which is why we believe 2% is actually not enough. We have to push for more, we have to push for 2.5."