Germany's Defense Surge Deserves American Applause and Recognition

Summary

Germany has undergone a dramatic and historic transformation in its defense posture, shifting from decades of constitutional restraint and chronic underspending to becoming NATO's most consequential European contributor. Driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and pressure from the Trump administration, Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years, with spending rising from 1.43% of GDP in 2021 to an estimated 2.69% by 2026, with a long-term target exceeding 3.5% of GDP by 2035. Beyond financial commitments, Germany has made a landmark strategic decision to permanently station a combat brigade in Lithuania, marking the first forward deployment of German combat forces in Europe since World War II, signaling a profound cultural shift toward accepting frontline deterrence responsibilities. Germany's powerful defense industrial base, anchored by companies like Rheinmetall, is also forming joint ventures with American firms to co-produce critical munitions such as 155mm artillery rounds and ATACMS missiles, strengthening both transatlantic industry ties and collective military capacity. The authors argue that as the "Axis of Aggressors" — China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — deepens cooperation, the United States must value and support Germany's transformation rather than allow political disagreements to undermine this critical alliance momentum.