Drones or butter ...

Challenge will be that 2% will not be enough ... matching the US @ 3.5% will be the new target ... then the gap isn't E40bn .... it's more like E250bn ... if countries don't step up then I am increasingly of the opinion that NATO will become a tiered structure  ... If you are matching the US then you get full service coverage anda seat at the table (if someone threatens you I will threaten them back and support you as necessary plus I will listen if you ask nicely) ...If you are c.2% then its basic service (if someone tries to attack you I will provide a shield and might offer you the means to retaliate but I will not threaten anyone on your behalf and please don't question my judgement) .If you are sub 2% then cover will come only at a price (you are effectively on your own but I will tell people that I will come to your aid if you are attacked but you should know now that this will be at a cost)...Right now the only places that would get close to full service are ... Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Greece and Poland.  As you would expect -  in broad terms the longer the distance from Moscow the lower the spend ...https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf