Germany Defense Spending Hits 36-Year High at $114 Billion (2.3% GDP) — SIPRI

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released its 2026 global military expenditure report, confirming Germany became Europe's largest military spender. German defense expenditure grew 24% year-on-year to $114 billion — approximately 2.3% of GDP — exceeding NATO's 2% threshold for the second consecutive year and reaching Germany's highest spending level since 1990. Germany pledged to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2029, driven by the Zeitenwende defense posture shift. Simultaneously, Rheinmetall secured a €1.04 billion Bundeswehr contract for 237 infantry platoon systems, to be delivered 2027–2029.