Baltic States to Propose Raising Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP
The Baltic states announced today that they will propose to NATO allies at the organization's next summit, to be held in July in Washington, setting 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the new minimum limit for defense spending.
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At a press conference after a meeting of the Baltic defense ministers in the Lithuanian resort town of Palanga, Estonian Minister of Defense Hannu Pevkur said the current minimum target of 2% of GDP no longer seemed sufficient, and he would urge allies to increase it by half a percentage point.
Noting that the three Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — have pledged to spend about 3% of GDP on defense, Pevkur said other allies “are most welcome to join the 3% club.”
Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said a key issue for the Balts at the NATO summit would be the adequacy of defense plans for the region drawn up since the last such high-level meeting, in Vilnius a year ago.
“Defense by denial is essential,” Kasciunas said, explaining that in defense planning, denial means having enough troops and other measures in place to prevent an enemy from crossing into or occupying any Baltic territory.
In that vein, Lithuania will announce details of its part in a common Baltic defense line against Russia that the three countries agreed to set up earlier this year.
Lithuania plans a mix of fixed fortifications and so-called “counter-mobility parks,” where troops and equipment, including anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, could be quickly assembled in threatened areas.
Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said the three countries are working to increase their ability to defend their territory by building up infrastructure so that each could host a full NATO brigade.
Estonia is preparing to host a British brigade, elements of a German brigade are already in Lithuania, and Latvia will host a Canadian brigade reinforced by a contingent from the Swedish army.
The Baltic defense ministers also stressed the need for continued cooperation in acquiring military equipment as a way to save money.
Latvia and Estonia are already jointly buying the German-made IRIS-T medium-range air defense missile system.
Spruds said joint procurement was essential for creating common, interoperable capabilities among the three neighboring countries.
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