Germany Announces Major Defense Spending Increase, Aiming for European Military Dominance
BERLIN – Germany is undertaking a dramatic expansion of its military capabilities, announcing a 70% increase in its defense budget by 2029. The move signals a significant shift in european security dynamics and a clear ambition to become the continent’s leading military power, surpassing nations like the United Kingdom and France.
Currently investing approximately €95 billion in defense for 2025, Germany plans to raise that figure to roughly €162 billion by 2029. This represents 3.5% of the nation’s GDP, with an additional 5% earmarked for bolstering cybersecurity and upgrading infrastructure for the German armed forces. The significant investment aligns with goals set forth by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at the recent Hague Summit.
Despite not currently ranking among the world’s top ten armies, according to 2025 listings, the government, led by Chancellor friedrich Merz, has explicitly stated its intention to become the most powerful military force in europe.
This surge in defense spending comes amid escalating global tensions, most notably the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now exceeding three years. Together, a shifting security landscape is emerging in the Americas with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency and a resulting diplomatic crisis between Washington and Venezuela, involving a U.S. Navy mobilization to counter drug trafficking.
