Poland calls for NATO to reach 5% defence spending target by 2030

Wednesday 06 - 10:15

NATO member states should reach the alliance’s target of spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence by 2030, five years earlier than currently planned, according to Poland’s defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Speaking at a defence conference in Warsaw, he warned that delays in rearmament could leave Europe exposed to growing security risks.

Poland’s leading defence role in NATO

As a country bordering both Russia and Ukraine, Poland has significantly increased its military spending in recent years, viewing the regional security environment as increasingly unstable.

Warsaw is currently the largest NATO defence spender relative to its GDP and plans to allocate around 4.8% of GDP to defence in 2026.

Call for accelerated investment

Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that waiting until 2035 to meet the alliance’s target would be too late, arguing that Europe must act more decisively in response to evolving threats.

He emphasized that strengthening defence capabilities is now a strategic priority, particularly given ongoing geopolitical tensions.

NATO’s long-term commitment

In a previous summit held in 2025, NATO leaders agreed on a plan to increase defence and security-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This includes not only military equipment but also investments in cybersecurity and infrastructure such as roads and ports.

Outlook

The Polish proposal highlights growing divisions within NATO over the pace of military expansion, as member states balance economic pressures with rising security concerns.