Scholz vows Germany will meet NATO target of 2% GDP spending

Germany's Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has said on Monday that defence industries could count on increasing military spending by his government and that it would meet its commitment to spending 2 per cent out of gross domestic production (GDP) for NATO protection.

Scholz spoke after former US President Donald Trump caused outrage among the allies of the United States (SHBA) saying the US might not protect NATO members, who are not spending enough on defence against potential invasion by Russia.

While president, Trump had publicly criticised countries that had failed to meet the military alliance's intention to spend 2 percent of their GDP on protecting the alliance.

Scholzi said on Monday that Germany and Europe's defence industry should definitely begin the major weapons production, as the war in Ukraine exposed the difficulties of European producers to meet ammunition requirements.

Scholzi visited the next location of the Rheinmetall weapons factory in central Germany.

“We must make great production of defence equipment. Not only the United States, but all European countries must do even more to support Ukraine”, Scholz said.

The blessings we've done so far are not enough. Germany's power alone is not enough”, he added.

Scholz stressed that Germany's military and defence industry can now rely on Berlin's commitment to achieving NATO's 2 per cent goal.

This is urgently needed. Because, no matter how difficult this reality is: we don't live in peace times”, he added.

Rheinmetall, one of the largest manufacturers of the world's artillery and tanks, began to increase production after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, where the need for ammunition has increased greatly, causing European producers to struggle to meet demand.

The construction of our new factory is the direct result of changing times”, Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said.