NATO to approve defense spending hike for new weapons

Key Summary:

NATO sets new purchasing targets for 32 member nations

Focus on air defense , drones, and long-range missiles

Spending hikes driven by threats like Russian aggression

U.S. pushes allies to meet 5% GDP defense goal

BRUSSELS — NATO defense ministers are set Thursday to approve purchasing targets for stocking up on weapons and military equipment to better defend Europe, the Arctic and the North Atlantic, as part of a U.S. push to ramp up security spending .

The “capability targets” lay out goals for each of the 32 nations to purchase priority equipment like air defense systems, long-range missiles, artillery, ammunition, drones and “strategic enablers” such as air-to-air refueling, heavy air transport and logistics. Each nation’s plan is classified, so details are s