Defense spending, Germany goes to 1.2% of GDP in 2017

Germany plans to increase defense spending to about two billion euros this year, but still remains far from objective sought by the North Atlantic alliance.

NATO estimates for 2016 show that only 5 member countries, the US, Britain, Greece, Poland and Estonia, have spent at least 2% of the GDP of their countries in the field of defense, as far as the objective.

Germany's defense spending, which will reach the figure of 37 billion euros this year will be only 1.2% of the GDP of the country. US President-elect Donald Trump says NATO allies are highly dependent on the United States.

He also cast doubt whether the US should help any military alliance partner based on its Article 5, if so many members of 28 such do not pay their dues. He criticized NATO as an organization "outdated".

Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg has urged member countries long to adhere to the target of 2%.

Announcing the target of military expenditures in 2017, the German Defence Minister, Ursula von der Leyen said that "we are moving in the right direction, but can not stick to the target within a year". Defence spending growth also suffered in 2016.

Germany, for years has faced difficulties in its military modernization, it is because more and more involved in NATO operations. It abolished compulsory military recruitment, to return to a professional army in 2011, but last year was also told that you can present a new form of national civil protection service.

Other member countries of NATO have launched also increased spending on defense. Alliance faces a number of challenges with security, including Islamic uprisings in the Middle East and Africa, but also the resurgence of Russia's armed forces, which are accused of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty.