NATO commander: Majority of members accept request for 30% capability boost

NATO is pushing for a 30 per cent increase in military capability targets among its 32 member nations to strengthen its force posture.

Admiral Pierre Vandier, the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation has stated that 80 per cent of allies have already accepted the proposed targets, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

According to the French national, full consensus is expected before the next NATO summit to be held in The Hague in June.

Vandier, who has previously served as the Chief of Staff of France’s Navy, did not specify which members agree, while the publication notes that major NATO members, including those traditionally resistant, are among those that have agreed already.

These capability targets define the necessary forces and assets NATO requires, according to the article, leaving individual governments responsible for specifics without strict deadlines. However, NATO members are already lagging by 30 per cent in meeting existing targets, creating a significant gap in defense preparedness. Vandier emphasized the urgent need for strategic planning to address these shortfalls.

The article underscores that the push for increased capabilities aligns with US President Donald Trump’s demand for European allies to contribute more to defense spending. A third of European NATO members failed to meet the current 2 per cent GDP defense spending goal last year, and further budget increases are expected before the June summit.

While concerns over potential US disengagement from NATO remain, Vandier called such speculation premature. The Trump administration has affirmed NATO’s importance and has approved the 2025 capability targets, suggesting a likely shift in burden-sharing rather than withdrawal. He stressed that the core issue is not NATO itself but the US’s role in European security.

As the article recalls, the US currently contributes an estimated $60 billion to $70 billion to European defense, covering about 100,000 US troops and the US Sixth Fleet. With the alliance seeking to enhance its military strength, discussions continue on how to balance responsibilities between European members and the US.

By Nazrin Sadigova