AI-generated summary
Last year, at the summit in The Hague, NATO agreed to invest at least 3.5 percent of GDP in defense in the future, plus 1.5 percent for defense-related spending such as infrastructure. This happened under the impression of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and at the urging of US President Donald Trump.
The US Department of Defense has explicitly acknowledged Germany's efforts to increase defense spending before the US Congress. NATO allies such as Germany have taken credible steps to fulfill their commitments from the defense alliance's summit in The Hague well ahead of the 2035 deadline, according to a statement from Elbridge Colby, the deputy defense secretary, to the US Senate Armed Services Committee.
Under the impression of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and at the urging of US President Donald Trump, NATO agreed at the summit in The Hague last year to invest at least 3.5 percent of gross domestic product in defense in the future. An additional 1.5 percent should then be added for defense-related expenses, such as infrastructure.
Germany was also mentioned by name as a model example with a view to closer cooperation in arms production. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth signed a declaration of intent on increased cooperation in the middle of this month.
It is not the first time that Colby has spoken positively about Germany. In August, at NATO headquarters, he praised Germany as a model for other allies. What the Federal Republic has initiated in the past 18 months is “an extraordinary tectonic shift,” a “historic change,” he explained. Germany had moved from extensive demilitarization to rapid rearmament.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Germany will continue to increase its defense spending in the coming years to achieve NATO goals.
Likely · Within years
A landmine explosion in the border area injures three South Korean officers. South Korea sees the incident as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and has announced countermeasures.

At the “Mission-K” networking event in Kalkar, over 100 companies and start-ups from the space and defense industry will meet the Bundeswehr to explore collaborations. Critics such as the Green Party politician Sara Nanni and Transparency Germany express concerns about the awarding of contracts and warn that the connections between the client and industry are too close. The Ministry of Defense, on the other hand, emphasizes competitive procedures and the promotion of innovation.
The US Department of Defense has praised Germany's efforts to increase defense spending before the US Congress and cited Germany as a model for other NATO allies. The aim is for closer cooperation in arms production. Germany plans to reach the five percent defense spending target by 2029 and has already reported record spending for 2026.
Five men were arrested near the British air base at Fairford on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences. After a witness tipped off, the police arrived; Residents were evacuated.
Ukrainian troops have liberated the village of Perepudovka in the Donetsk region and returned to Komar, according to ISW. The institute also records Ukrainian gains in territory and the destruction of Russian tanks near Oleksandrivka and Chasiv Yar.
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution warns of Chinese espionage activities when German research institutions collaborate with Chinese universities. China has been building a comprehensive system of technology and know-how transfer for years in order to expand its political, economic, technological and military supremacy. The focus is particularly on quantum technology, AI, hypersonics as well as bio and surveillance technologies.