France, Aug. 28 -- All NATO countries will all meet the alliance's long-standing defence spending target this year- but only three are currently reaching a new, higher goal set in June, data showed on Thursday.

The figures come as Germany's largest weapons producer, Rheinmetall, opened a new ammunition plant in northern Germany on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and senior German officials.

NATO members agreed in 2014 to spend at least 2 percent of national output on defence. For years many fell short. But the alliance said that in 2025 all 32 members will meet the benchmark, with seven at the minimum of 2 percent and others only slightly above.

Spending has risen since Russia's 2022 invasion of Uk...