US Pentagon praises Germany's new defense strategy and NATO 5% spending goal

Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, the third‑highest official at the U.S. Pentagon, praised Germany’s newly announced conventional defence strategy as “historic and highly commendable.” Colby made the remarks on the social platform X after meeting Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer.

The endorsement comes as the Pentagon reviews its own troop presence in Europe and stresses that NATO members must assume greater responsibility for continental security. Germany aims to raise its defence spending to 5 % of GDP by 2029, aligning with the alliance’s broader target of 5 % of GDP for defence and security by 2035. The United States has urged European allies to increase their contributions, linking the German plan to the NATO‑wide “5‑percent goal.”