Ankara: NATO allies in Europe and Canada increased their defense spending in 2024 by 19.4%, according to the Secretary General Annual Report 2024 released on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the report highlighted that investments in defense grew substantially across the Alliance. NATO Allies in Europe and Canada collectively invested USD 486 billion in defense, marking a 19.4% increase in real terms from the previous year. Secretary General Mark Rutte, in the foreword of the report, emphasized that the increased spending marked the 10th consecutive year of growth, reaching 2% of their combined GDP-a guideline met by 22 allies in 2024.

The report detailed that NATO European Allies and Canada have added over USD 700 billion extra for defense in recent years. These efforts underscore their commitment to greater responsibility for the defense and security of the Euro-Atlantic area, with plans to accelerate efforts in 2025. The report also noted that the US accounted for 53% of the allies' combined GDP and 64% of combined defense expenditure.

Furthermore, the Alliance has increased its high-readiness forces to 500,000 combat-capable troops across all domains, including air, land, sea, cyberspace, and space, ready to respond to any threat. More than 90,000 troops were deployed in the High North and Central and Eastern Europe, where Steadfast Defender 2024-NATO's largest exercise in decades-tested their defense plans.

Rutte emphasized NATO's continued support for Ukraine, with $55 billion in military assistance provided by the allies. He stated that NATO allies are united in their desire for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The report also highlighted the growing strategic alignment and cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Europe.

Rutte underscored the importance of working with partners, including in the Indo-Pacific, to address security challenges across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific areas. He noted that NATO has refocused on strengthening its ability to ensure the collective defense of allies in an increasingly complex world, with a priority on adapting and becoming more agile in defense strategies.