NATO leaders have agreed to raise the alliance’s defense spending benchmark to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, marking one of the most ambitious military budget commitments in the bloc’s history. The decision was reached at the Brussels summit as members responded to growing security concerns across Europe and beyond.

Under the plan, European allies are expected to speed up purchases of air-defense systems, long-range munitions and other military hardware to help meet the new target. The move signals a stronger push to modernize stockpiles and close capability gaps that have become more visible since Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine.

The agreement reflects pressure inside the alliance for members to share more of the defense burden and prepare for a more volatile security environment. While the target will take years to implement, NATO leaders framed it as a long-term commitment to deterrence, readiness and collective defense.

The new spending goal will likely shape national budgets across Europe for the rest of the decade, with governments now facing difficult choices over defense, welfare and other public priorities. Supporters argue the increase is necessary to strengthen deterrence; critics are likely to question the scale and pace of the commitment.