ANKARA, July 7 (Reuters) - Five NATO members are projected to meet the alliance's goal of spending 3.5% of gross domestic product on core defence already in 2026, according to updated NATO data published on Tuesday ahead of a leaders' summit in Ankara, which also showed some members are still expected to spend only about 2%.At a summit in The Hague last year, NATO leaders pledged to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence items such as weapons and troops by 2035 - up from a previous goal of 2%.

Berlin aims to hit NATO's defence spending goal six years early

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday that member nations should present clear plans to reach the 5% defense spending goal at the upcoming Ankara...