Spain increases defense spending: 10.5 billion for NATO!

Spain increases defense spending: 10.5 billion for NATO!

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a comprehensive investment package of 10.5 billion euros for national defense. This project aims to achieve NATO's intended two percent goal. This initiative is intended to increase the total edition for Spanish defense to 33.1 billion euros. Spain is currently at the top of the lowest expenses with only 1.28 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in defense spending among NATO partners.

social perception and security threats

A survey showed that 75 percent of Spaniards support higher defense spending, even if their perception of security threats is lower than the European average. Only 50 percent are ready to go to war for their country. In some cases, this could be due to the nostalgic experiences of the military dictatorship Franco, which has shaped a negative perception of the military and its cultures. At the same time, the Spanish military has developed significantly in recent decades.

The geographical situation of Spain, which is often perceived as less threatening compared to countries such as Finland or Poland, also plays a role in the risk assessment. Nevertheless, there is an increasing social discourse on defense spending, which is accompanied by different political groups with different views. The coalition partner Sumar even called for leaving NATO in March.

international reactions and the NATO

The NATO states are planning in 2024 to issue around 2.71 percent of their GDP for defense, which corresponds to an increase of 10.9 percent compared to the previous year. European Allies and Canada are said to spend 2.02 percent of GDP. This is in contrast to Spain's 1.28 percent, which means that the country is one of the final lights of defense spending in NATO.

before, with a significant share in the procurement of new equipment and technological developments. In view of the geopolitical developments, such as the Russian attack on Ukraine, a re-evaluation of military expenditure and strategies could be imminent, especially if in June within NATO there is a possible increase in the two percent goal to 3 to 4 percent.

The Spanish armed forces are also involved in missions abroad; Over 3800 soldiers have a part in 16 missions, including NATO missions in countries such as Latvia, Slovakia and Romania. Despite these international obligations, the internal pressure on the expansion of defense spending in Spain remains tense and uses fundamental questions about national self -awareness and priorities within society.