World: "Poland, what are you preparing for?" Poland: "to win"

Brit here who spent 22 years in the uk armed forces and now works in the private security sector. Just want to add that yes, the UK does spend 2.3 % but that really doesn’t mean it’s spent well and in the right places.

As a Brit, I recommend all interested in defense spending to watch Perun's videos on each nations military procurement. He shows how France is able to project power, maintain an independent military and have a nuclear arsenal while spending less of their gdp than the UK. He also paints quite a bleak picture of Germanys cash injection and how poorly it could be managed.

As a Canadian who is proud of my country’s history of defending freedom, I am embarrassed by the lack of support for NATO - and I can only point out that this stupid policy has a long history under politicians of right AND left.

Poland: we have like 200 years of combined Russian occupation between 1795 and 1989, with few breaks. Not want to repeat this experience.

I feel like many people are missing the point of the 2% spending. The point is everyone according to their own economy's pay 2% of what they make for their OWN security. It's like asking Elon to pay 2% for guns for his own security and you need to spend 2% for for guns for your security. So long as everyone is making efforts to protect themselves everyone will go out of their way to defend each other. So almost like a neighborhood watch. The rich guy spends 2% of his budget for guns and has a mini gun. You, a broke lad, spends 2% of your budget and get a handgun. Therefore everyone is doing their part to have defences for themselves and will come to the aid of one another. If you get attacked minigun is coming to your aid. If minigun gets attacked you are going to help him with your handgun. No one is to have a free hand out of Security. "I will help you defend yourself, not be your meat shield for you" concept.

As a Canadian, I am totally disgusted with our Federal government for continually spending an inadequate amount on its military, this regardless of the party in power. Besides NATO, as was mentioned in this video, Canada should also be concerned with encroachment on its Northern borders. A total embarrassment! PM Trudeau and Mr. Poilievre ARE YOU LISTENING.

As a Spanish, I hate that my government spend nothing on defence, because now is been proven that necessary to deterrence any aggression

I appreciate Norway, Poland, the UK, Greece, and the Baltic nations for being team players.

United we stand, divided we fall seems like an appropriate statement.

Being a citizen of a notorious (although un-mentioned) budget slacker, I am pleased, that Denmark is now planning to spend 2.02% of our projected 2024 BNP on defense in that same year.

It is shameful that Canada has never met the 2% GDP but spending money is not the answer, until procurement process is improved it is basically throwing money into a large deep hole, which helps no one

I think that Belgium's free loading is like Canada's. They know that the UK, France and Germany will act if something happens

I just want you to know Poland- *We are so proud of you* You're invited to the cookout. -America

As a Canadian I am utterly embarrassed of our military spend and the current state of our armed forces. It's imperative that we take action, regardless of the impact it may have on our personal taxes. The cost of neglecting our defense could be far greater in the event of an invasion, both financially and in terms of human lives. I sincerely hope that our present or future government recognizes the importance of actively participating in NATO and the invaluable security it provides.

To be fair on Luxembourg we are forming a new regiment and buying our first ever tanks, with a plan to reach 2%. The new regiment is joint with Belgium, so their stats should improve a bit too with this.

As a Canadian I am disappointed and disgusted in our lack of military upkeep. It's been on a long going slow decline in my opinion since 1959. No party in Canada in at least the last 24 years has been pledging to spend large sums of money to upgrade our equipment or increase stocks. So as a Canadian I can only apologize and hope that the next dimwit that gets elected is better. Though I highly doubt it.

As a Dane im happy that our politicians finally got our act together.

As a french, I was surprised to hear that we crossed the threshold this year. Yes we have a sizable military force. Yes we can project - and we do project - our force far better and in places no other NATO member can, except the USA. Yes we have a very modern - and totally independent - nuclear arsenal, hence a credible nuclear deterrent. And finally yes we have an efficient military industry. But we have stretched all these assets to the limits and often beyond it. I spent my youth believing that the world could end at any moment’s notice in a bright nuclear flash. I don’t want the new generations to fear the same outcome. France has in its past paid the price of military complacency. It would be great not to learn the lesson the hard way again.

I know Australia isn’t in nato, but in 22/23 we spent 2.11% on Defence which was about 48billion. Here in 23/24 financial it’s slipped to 2.04% but actually increased to $53billion almost a billion of which is being spent on a loyal wingman program that will pay dividends because most of our allies have either expressed interest or outright purchased the MQ28 ghost bat. I believe America jumped so hard at the development that even Australia and all americas currently purchasing allies wont have as many as the American.

Canadian here. I'm even left wing. This analysis is bang on. I was waiting the whole video waiting for the slagging we deserve. I especially appreciate the mentioning of how stupid it is that this is being ignored while strategic waterways are opening up for year-round traversal without any shift in spending to secure our sovereign territory

As a 5th generation Canadian, with grandparents and great grandparents that have fought in the great wars, I am embarrassed that our country has neglected our military so much to make it ineffective. Great video Simon, shame Canada's politicians have made us so ... derelict. Sorry world, Canada isn't back yet.

Excellent (mini) documentary and I certainly feel a lot less ignorant of the specifics involved than I did before watching this! Very interesting and nice to have the facts presented with some humour too. Very educational, thanks for that!

Cheers from Poland to other NATO countries! We learned one thing in the past: "Can you count? Count on yourself!". Of course we will help our partners if there will be a problem and we'd like to be protected by our allies too.

As a German living in Canada I must say I was glued to the screen hearing what is actually happening with these spendings. DANKE!

One point you missed. Military spending is self reported, and nations count their spending differently. When years ago, obama scolded the brits because they didn't spend enough, they went from 1.7% to 2.1% by adding pensions in the counting. That is why SIPRI is usefull, as they have a common method of calculation.

More people need to see videos like this. Thank you for making it

People forget that Canada is EFFICIENT. Almost ridiculously so. The main inputs to military spending are 100% local to Canada. Trucks, tanks, bullets and electronics are made cheaply, and WELL here. Training, research, patents etc are all local as well, and exports not imports. Unlike most countries that have to pay for US or German products in cash Canada has a trade surplus with the USA and buys almost nothing from anyone else. America pays Canada, in Canadian dollars. This is literally unique in the world. The exchange rate alone accounts for about half the target spending deficit. Canada is less riding on US coat tails, & more the Tailor and Thread Products Ltd that makes those coats to begin with. Trump was literally ignorant of that, while all other US presidents have actually consulted the books in detail. The spending target was based on traditional swords while we are mass producers of razor blades... the throats of the enemy cannot tell the difference.

As a Canadian this is frustrating and embarrassing

Iceland is, by treaty, mandated to have no armed forces. Their contribution instead is the use of their island by NATO for basing and other logistics support.

The past 5 years Canada has made budget cuts to our military and we are truly suffering to make anything work as a result. It's a absolute joke

I feel it should be noted, while there was no goal or expectation for 2% until the early 2000s, *it also wasn't a significant issue until then to.* During the cold war, an overwhelming majority of members far exceeded a 2% threshold. NATO & free Europe as a whole was preparing for the very serious Soviet invasion threat. However, with the fall of the USSR budgets got astronomically cut with many members going from contributing to NATO for defense, to solely relying on it for defense. "Why spend money on tanks that will never see service when Uncle Sam and Aunt NATO have your back?" Which, to be fair is somewhat understandable. Who exactly do Czechie have to worry about invading? Or Belgium. Most of Europe has buffer states for their buffer states.

Norway is also a unique scenario, it was at 1.9%+ spending in 2020 and has since increased spending, the reason it today is at a lower percentage of gdp isn't a lack of will to invest in its military it is because the gdp has increased at a ridiculous rate. Had Norways income from natural gas not gone up so much since 2021 its military spending would be well above 2%.

1:10 - Chapter 1 - Paying dues 5:50 - Chapter 2 - Counting beans 8:45 - Chapter 3 - Best in class 12:55 - Chapter 4 - The laggards 17:45 - Chapter 5 - The freeriders

An excellent video. Very informative. Thank you.

Love your great work you give new perspective in time when wee need it at the most .

The thing with military spending is that it's meant to be prepared for the unknown, not react to events years after they transpire.

Well, technically, Russia is spending that money on OFFENCE, and not really on DEFENCE.

It would be nice to have a government in Canada that funds our military properly. Although, there doesn't seem to be any realistic prospects for that at the moment.

Excellent delivery!

I'm glad so many fellow Canadians are in the comment section and feel the same as me

I find your description more exhaustive and deep than many international media press. But like Italian who I am I had to exempt a pair of news for a more interesting and real analysis: 1) Italy have one of the biggest public debt in the world and can't exceed his actual defence budget funds without consequences on public finances. 2) Never than less, Italy have one of the strongest, more operational and best equipped Air force and Navy in all European continent. 3) Over that, Italy in the last over twenty years has spent in international operations more than many other NATO countries . It's partecipations starts with the operations in Congo in the sixties, in the seventies in the Persian Gulf, Libano in 1982, Straight of Hormutz and Persian Gulf crisis, Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Iraq in 1990/1991, Somali operations 1992 (to now 2024!), in Mozambique in 1994, in Balcanians wars in the nineties , in Kosovo and Serbia war in 1998, Timor Est peace operations, Enduring Freedom and NATO ISAF missions in Afghanistan since 2001 to 2021, Iraqi Freedom and NATO mission since 2003 (to now 2024!), Libyan war in 2011, and many more operations that in some cases are on course by decades like the ONU naval mission in Red Sea that starts over forty years ago. So probably Italy didn't spent so much in the last decades but it was really not a freerider and it's incorrect say that for sure.

Any American who wants the US to leave NATO should read this first (I am also American for context): How much any country spends on NATO does not matter. The US spends more on sunk projects for its armed forces than it does on NATO regularly. Even if every country in NATO spent 1% of its GDP on the military, the US would get more out of what it pays for NATO right now (which isn't a ton) than it would out of any other military investment it has ever made in history in terms of strength and numbers. Now, as this video mentions most of NATO pays well above 1%. True, there are countries not meeting their goals, but that doesn't mean they're "not paying their bills" or something like that. Should they pay more? Probably. But it literally does not matter to America whether they do or not. (in case you're curious though, the NATO common fund is not the same as military spending % of GDP, and is taken from all countries based on economy size. THIS is their "bill" and they all pay it to be in the alliance.) Any country that attacks a NATO country would do so very well aware of Article 5. That means, they would know that they are also attacking the US. Any country willing to do something that stupid is already going to be a threat to the US: It is better that we can fight such a threat with literally 2 times the American GDP and triple its population. Even with mediocre spending right now, in a time of war that would change fast. Ukraine went from 3% to an astonishing 33% of its GDP spent on the military since the Russian invasion. Imagine the difference in military power that could be gained from an extra 25 TRILLION in GDP from all of NATO other than the US (which is another 25 trillion on its own). The combination of NATO forces literally doubles the effective strength of the United States. DOUBLES. And the US is already the most powerful country on Earth militarily speaking. China on its own could be a threat to the US--not to the mainland yet, but certainly to our interests. Russia could be a threat with its thousands of nuclear weapons, and without US nuclear cover other states would be forced to gain their own nukes in order to deter that threat. This would mean more opportunity for rash deployment of such weapons than already exists, which is worse for everybody. With the US in NATO, there is literally no power on this earth, including the sum forces of the rest of the world (international GDP is only around 96 trillion including NATO) that would even stand a chance. The US is powerful but cannot take on the world alone if it had to. NATO can. The idea that we should leave the alliance which has ensured security in Europe (among member nations) and between global superpowers for the greater part of a century is insane. It is even more insane that the reasoning is other countries "not paying enough" in defense spending, when they literally have zero incentive to do so: NATO is not at war, and they are not under serious threat because the more heavily armed NATO countries could easily hold back any threat as a quick reaction force while their economies shift to being war-based. There is this American ideal that everyone should be independent and the US shouldn't allow European countries to rely on it for their security, but that's the problem. It's a cultural issue we have. We gain unfathomably more out of NATO then we spend on it, it's fair enough that European nations can gain from it too. They are our allies, and in a war they would sacrifice their men and women to protect us just as we would do for them. And that mutual agreement is what means that neither side will hopefully ever have to. Edit: It's also worth pointing out that we don't pay more because other countries pay less. If we were not in NATO, any American knows darn well we would be spending the exact same amount on our military. That's just what America is like until we elect someone REALLY crazy. NATO doesn't affect how much we pay here in the US.

Before Russia's invasion, I don't think the world would've been confortable with headlines like "Germany to increase military spending".

I as Canadian armed forces member, its sad to not see the argument of the artic shipping routes not being brought up in our media...

Good and fair reporting.....do not detect bias...well done

Missed the Netherlands in this video. Expected to hit the 2% in 2024 (finally). Building a bunch of new frigates to protect our freeloading southern neighbor 😁

Finnish chief of defense forces says that 2% of GDP is not enough for Europeans (and I think Canada should be included in that), he says that they should spend more than that because 2% was for peace time spending but we are now in a different world than what it was when that 2% of GDP was decided.

As a Canadian... its us. Yes, we are always willing to help out (some others don't, that's for sure), but our actual budget is just sad. My guess is everyone else would be happy if we simply spent enough to secure our own arctic.

Excellent analysis.

As a Swede i just have to say is it 32 member countries not 31

The U.S. didn't enact Article V after 9-11. The other NATO allies did. This is important to note that it wasn't the U.S. coming to the aid of Europe, as one might assume would happen, it Europe coming to the aid of the U.S.

I would like to point out at that at the time of German reunification when the east and west German armies merged, Germanys standing military was somewhere 1 million personnel+ and France and Great Britain were absolutely terrified and wouldn’t agree to reunification without significant decreases in German military capability, this is to some extant the inevitable outcome to that

As an American I would go easy on criticism of Germany "under-spending" on defense until recently. After WWII the US invested in shaping a pacifistic Germany that had little reason or enthusiasm for building a strong military.

Good video!

i've once heard belgium described like "a place where europeans, especially france and germany, could go to settle their differences." it's crazy how short some nations' memory is.

As a Canadian, i remember when Toronto's mayor called in the military to shovel after a snow storm. So to everyone thinking Canada's military is incapable, think again 😂

Simon has become a true Czech. Turkiye defense budget of 4% is indeed 4.5 billion dollars, but in short scale it's 4.5 trillions.

Excellent video. But as an American, I was disappointed that almost every budget reference was in 2024 spending. Ignoring the decades that the US taxpayer has done without because European nations refused to pay for their own defense. Sure they are now, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but they were not part of a deterrence that might have prevented that war. They were happy to send the bill to the US. I would have liked a more more historic perspective on each country’s spending. ie. “They spent 1.9% in 2023 but only 1.3% the two decades prior. Also relevant (and cumulative) is the billions of dollars that the US pumps into the German economy via US bases there only to have Berlin turn around and give the US taxpayer the middle finger.

As a Canadian I'm ashamed with our government's neglect to our armed forces its not benefiting Canada its putting us all at risk

A lot of Americans think of Europe as lazy dullards that depend on America for defense but also feel it's their right to criticize our methods and life style. Most Americans tune out Euro criticism. But it's very heart warming to see European countries not willing to let America have all the fun. We couldn't be more proud to call those nations allies or friends.

If I may...I was blessed to visit Turkey a few times during a 20 year boat ride (usn). Wonderful nation. I trust them.

The Germany roommate reference had me laughing so hard. Brilliant.

I would like you to explore this Arctic thing in a detailed video, Simon. It intrigues me and pushes my curious buttons.

Georgia before 2008 war used to spend almost 8% GDP on it's military, so if it was admitted back in the day, then it would've been largest spender in all of Alliance. Pre-war Ukraine used to spend 3% of it's GPD on military, now since invasion they have increased it literally tenfold with over 30% being spent on military.

I don't know anyone who thought that NATO members were supposed to pay 2% of their GDP to NATO. At least here in the US, it's widely understood that the 2% is the target for NATO members to spend on their own defense. And the countries that routinely hit the target are not surprisingly, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania who know all too well the danger of living next to the 1,000 pound bear that is Russia. Meanwhile Germany, a significant portion of which was living under the Soviet yoke just as recently as 1991, seemed to have forgotten until recently that it inhabits a rather dangerous neighborhood and was quite willing to mortgage its future to the tender mercies of Vlad the Invader despite his disregard for the borders and sovereignty of other countries. As for Canada, under Fidel, Jr. the Canadian government wants to live under the US nuclear umbrella while its armed forces languish, such that a country bodering two oceans and with one of the longest shorelines in the world, much of it covered with ice, has fewer submarines than Disney World.

As usual, great subject matter that Simon Whistler presents, and for once he's talking slow enough that I was able to avoid setting the KZfaq speed setting to .75 of normal. He even used some punctuation to almost fully avoid "speed mumble", a common KZfaq feature of many narrations, LOL.

As a Turk I am pleasantly surprised that we'll be going over 4% next year and given the ambitious new military projects we got into and the new purchases we made, it makes sense. However I doubt the spending will go that high considering the economy is in shambles right now. I think 3% or just above 3% is realistically achievable.

its so soothing to watch this channel. the amount of well researched and awesomely produced vids you are pumping out almost daily puts billion dollar media outlets to shame

Fair assessments... Now, it actually takes even more nuances (such a broad topic...) So, as French (FR/US, actually), may I add a few points (positive and negative) about France? - Since Macron came to power (2017), budget increase was on the table, then implemented (2018), so no wonder France was at the 1,9 mark in 2022. - Then, the Russian invasion sort of "boosted the boost". - However. France is the 3rd largest arm exporter behind the US and Russia. And some experts predict it's already the second largest now. But, though the R&D is superb, the industrial capabilities fall behind. Good designers, not enough manufacturers. This is where we should invest much more. Esp. when investments are not just about our military, but also economic growth, exports, etc. Which should lead to an increase in domestic spending. - So, all in all, the French military spending should accelerate much more. It's still lacking, in the industrial layer, though efforts are made. We're stuck in the "haute-couture" paradigm. Time to shift... Sidenotes: French nuclear deterrence is completely free of other nations' interference. While the UK's is bound to the US. So, what happens if the US do not condone, or withdraw? What is the UK voice as an anbiguous nuclear power? Can they have a doctrine of their own? We have only one aircraft carrier (a shame). But it can operate with US planes, and French planes take off and land on US carriers (CATOBAR magic). This is a pointer. No other nations can experience the shared strength of "camaraderie". The NATO logo is bilingual, it also spells the French version, OTAN (look at it). So where we're at? Preparing for a US whithdrawal, with strong nations like Poland, possibly Italy (industrial powerhouse). Not willing to be the unique nuclear umbrella over Europe, unsure about Germany, too far behind. Problem: We also have strong interests/presence in the Pacific. But, maybe we'll let our Canadian friends to step up. OK, yes, we need to spend more...

@Warogrphics - It would be great to have a similar in depth talk about the arms industry. In other words who is making the weapons, who is selling the weapons, who is buying the weapons, where does the money come from to buy and where does the money go when the goods are delivered.

I'm so frustrated that Canada is in its current state. So many of our family has served proudly and they feel their sacrifice has been so devalued. It's time for us to do better.

As a Canadian, I think we should be able to self defend, especially in the arctic. We should rival Russia for arctic power, if not exceed them. I’d rather my taxes go there than arrivescam apps and Trudeau’s sock collection.

74 y.o. Paid into SS and MC every two weeks for 45 years.... Now making my "sucking noise" according to you. Yay 💯! Thank you, America !!!!!!!

It’s literally not a 2% rule it is a suggestion and no where in NATO is it written. It was a spending concept that was discussed and recommended.

As a Canadian, I am embarrassed. We waste plenty

Last time Poland increased it's military spending so rapidly to such a high level was 1936-1939.

Good video

Im watching this from Greece. We were first once with 3.8% but as economy grew a bit the budget stayed the same and went down getting passed by USA and Poland.

I see a Warographics notification and I click. Never disappointed. 8:45 I remember that clip on Poland, I save all these in a Playlist. 18:50 "We're looking at these figures Belgium, and it's not a mistake, it's a piss take!" - Poland lol The NATO Pisstakers - appearing at Glastonbury in 2024 Singing their chart topping hit “The One Percenters”

In my opinion it should be also noted that military spending is not even the only factor that when it comes to nato contribution. Some countries still have conscription and training of troops definetly is cost to economy. It's not really seen as spending, as the conscripts don't get little money for it, but they still contribute greatly to defence of the alliance.

I live in Canada, a country whose Prime Minister openly admitted, will never reach the 2% of GDP military spending threshold. If Article 5 is triggered, whoever is depending on Canada may as well raise a white flag. If meeting the 2% of GDP military spending threshold helped in vote whoring, our Prime Minister would be spending 4% of GDP. If you choose to be in an alliance it involves certain obligations and responsibilities, meet them or leave.

It wasn’t an unprovoked attack by Russia Simon. Nato reneged on the Minsk treaty.

Thanks!

As a UK resident who has a fair amount of family and friends, who have served or still serve in the Armed Forces, I think our preparation for a potential conflict with Russia or China is abysmal. The munitions state is bad enough but even worse, every battalion, ship and squadron, with the exception of the Gurkha Brigade is below strength. So much so that the outgoing Chief of Staff suggested conscripting 500,000 people to fill vacancies.

Thank you Simon for educating people on important issues.

To consider turkey a free rider is a stretch, out of the last 72 years they were under 2% for 6 years

I'd like to point out a few things re Germany: 1.) It wasn't always this way. if look up the BIP/Spending ratio of Germany, you'll see, that from 1953 - 1983, it was most of the time above 3 % (with peaks in the 60'ies above 4% and up to 5 %). It remained above 2 % until reunification came in 1991, and only then receded. Back then, it was common understanding within NATO, that Germany should foremost concentrate on integrating the former GDR. (To put that into perspective: that would be roughly the same, as if the US would have to integrate Mexico. Could you do that in a frame of 30 years?) 2.) Despite struggling, Germany was always the EU-member, that had to subsidize the others the most. To this day, Germany is the biggest net payer. 3.) While other countries skirted their humanitarian tasks even more than their military ones, Germany took in refugees several times - starting through the Balkan wars (uncounted), going on with the DAESH/ISIS crisis approx. 1 Million, and now since 2022, roughly another 1 Million because of the war in Ukraine. So, give us a break! The amount of money spent towards strategic security is much larger, than just the budget of the military! Sure, if Trump would get his way, the refuges might well drown and starve.

Canadian vet here. We are totally underfunded. But yet, the government have the courtesy to put free tampons in men washroom. Go figure. Trudeau must go.

Thing with Norway spending is that their GDP probably increased in the last few years due to the increased gas and oil revenues. And then the defense spending might not increase the same, making the percentage decrease.

Ironic that Belgium is the location of NATO HQ. Also ironic that- doesn’t Canada have a border dispute or two with the USA and/ or Denmark somewhere in the Arctic?

What Trump said, although pretty bluntly put, makes absolute sense. 2% is a pretty reasonable military spending, particularly for advanced economies such as those in NATO. To say 'okay, but I prefer to spend it elsewhere' is an insult to other member states, which are paying 2% or more for military, so there's the moral issue with it. And in practice, in case of war, commitment should be proportional. Why take advantage of the military of other countries, that are spending more than you? And ultimately, if you think there's no chance you'll ever be in danger, and don't want to spend, then leave NATO.

Even without the US Russia is hopelessly outmatched to the Europe of yesterday.

There will be other factors at play as well, if I remember correctly, UK bundles military pensions in with military spending but in France military pensions are not included in the military spend

11:23 Kaliningrad went for a swim 😂

Poland got sick & tired of being invaded, so they began carrying a bigger stick 😂

Thanks for covering European things for US people unbiased, Greetings from Finland!

You missed one important point. Germany is third in Military aid spending for Ukraine behind 1. EU 2. USA. Germany is paying the biggest part of the EU spending and that is the best way to do. Who wants a Germany to have a agenda with nationalism + high military spending? The discussion about the 2% are a tool split NATO countries and you are part of. The behavior in the past show that Nato was never a threat to Russia. The present shows that a strong EU + Nato is the right way to go.

... I keep hearing Simon Whistler screaming " Laggard " in my head !

THANK YOU FOR SHARING! I’m from Virginia and I didn’t know these issues were really at stake. I assumed we’re southern enough to not worry about that, but this goes to show what not voting will do.