"We cannot take stability and security for granted. That's why we continue to invest in our defense and deterrence capabilities"

Stability and security are not natural states that persist unaided; they are achievements requiring continual upkeep. Peace erodes when institutions, capabilities, and political will atrophy. The statement reflects a sober reading of today’s risks: revisionist aggression, terrorism, cyber intrusions, disinformation, coercive economics, and the militarization of new domains. In such conditions, complacency invites miscalculation, while credible readiness lowers the likelihood that crises spiral into conflict.

Investing in defense and deterrence is a strategy of prevention, not militarism. Deterrence works by convincing any aggressor that the costs of attack exceed any gain. That demands capable forces, resilient infrastructure, interoperable allies, secure supply chains, and munitions stocks sufficient for sustained operations. It also requires technological edge, integrated air and missile defenses, cyber resilience, space-based sensing, and data-driven command and control, so commitments are backed by real capacity. Spending targets and modernization plans matter less than whether forces can mobilize quickly, reinforce allies, and operate seamlessly under pressure.

These investments strengthen diplomacy. Credible strength creates room for negotiation and reduces the temptation to probe for weaknesses. It reassures partners, signals resolve to adversaries, and buttresses the rules-based order that protects sovereignty and freedom from coercion. The logic extends beyond budgets: regular exercises, rapid reinforcement plans, and clear escalation ladders limit misread intentions. Societal resilience, energy security, protected critical infrastructure, secure semiconductors and data flows, and informed publics, complements military posture and makes coercion less effective.

Trade-offs are real: money for defense is money not spent elsewhere. Yet defense functions as insurance, costly, but far cheaper than deterrence failure. Burden-sharing and transparency are essential to sustain public trust and alliance cohesion. The larger message is pragmatic optimism: stability can be preserved, but only if nations make deliberate, sustained investments in the capabilities, partnerships, and civic resilience that keep the peace and deter those who would undermine it.