U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius discussed the NATO 3.0 initiative, increased defense spending by European countries and the defense industry infrastructure of the two countries in Washington.
At the opening of the meeting at the Pentagon, Hegseth said a major step would be taken to advance defense industry cooperation between the United States and Germany. He described NATO 3.0 as part of a broader effort to strengthen the alliance’s military capabilities, increase defense production and give European allies greater responsibility for Europe’s conventional defense.
Europe’s defense responsibility
Hegseth had announced at a NATO meeting in Brussels in June that a six-month review would be conducted of the deployment of U.S. troops in Europe. At the same meeting, he called on NATO allies to increase defense spending and reduce their dependence on U.S. military support.
Hegseth said Germany was approaching the 5 percent target under the defense spending commitment it made at the Hague Summit, adding that defense spending was only the first step.
Pistorius said Germany also supported Europe assuming greater responsibility for NATO’s conventional defense. Pistorius said Germany was strengthening its defense capabilities and acting as a driving force in Europe, adding that European countries wanted to take over part of the burden carried by the United States and assume primary responsibility for conventional deterrence in Europe.
Agreement on acquisition processes
During the meeting, Hegseth and Pistorius signed an agreement aimed at aligning the U.S. Department of Defense’s defense acquisition transformation strategy with Germany’s Defense Acquisition Acceleration Act.
Hegseth said this alignment could create new opportunities in joint development, production, licensed manufacturing, maintenance and sustainment.
