In the run-up to the NATO summit in The Hague next week, German NATO General Christian Badia has set a 10-year timeframe for member states to implement the alliance’s new planning goals.
According to Badia, who spoke to the Welt am Sonntag, each nation has 19 years to fulfill NATO’s defense objectives, but given the Russian threat, the alliance has defined “epochs” in which specific milestones must be achieved. In essence, most of the goals should be accomplished within the next decade.
NATO does not demand specific contributions from its member states, but rather, the desired effects. “How these are achieved lies in the sovereign discretion of each nation” said Badia, the deputy commander of the NATO Transformation Command in Norfolk, USA. “However, nations must demonstrate a credible buildup of combat power.”
At the summit, the heads of state and government will approve the new capability goals. “We need a growth of about 30% in military capabilities in NATO to be able to defend Europe against the Russian threat and to fulfill all our tasks, including counter-terrorism” said Badia. This directly leads to a budget goal of 3.5% of the gross domestic product of each member state. “Additionally, 1.5% will flow into national resilience, including roads, railways, hospitals, or cybersecurity. I think that’s very sensible” said Badia.
He expects US President Donald Trump to play a constructive role at the summit, saying, “Of course, he will say, ‘Look, I said five percent, now everyone does.’ That’s his due. Trump has reminded the Europeans of their inherent interest in their security.”
To achieve the personal goal of the German Bundeswehr, set by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at 260,000 active soldiers, Badia believes a duty is necessary. “The Bundeswehr has been carrying the problem of the end of conscription with it” said Badia. “There were many good ideas, but nothing worked out as planned. We wanted 203,000 soldiers, but we don’t even reach an average of 180,000.”
To deter an attacker, more personnel are needed and Badia suggests a step towards a military or better, a service duty. “If the measures of the last years did not give me what I need, I must take the step to a duty” said Badia. “Because if I want to achieve national resilience, it’s not just about the military, but also about blue-light and aid organizations.