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5d ago

Spain Approves €10.5 Billion Defense Plan to Hit NATO Spending Target Early

The government accelerates military investment to achieve 2% of GDP defense spending in 2025, sparking internal coalition tensions and opposition criticism over transparency.

El portavoz de ERC en el Congreso, Gabriel Rufián, en una sesión plenaria
El presidente del Gobierno, Pedro Sánchez y la vicepresidenta segunda y ministra de Trabajo, Yolanda Díaz, durante una reunión en el Complejo de La Moncloa, a 11 de marzo de 2025, en Madrid (España).
El presidente de VOX, Santiago Abascal, bebe agua durante su intervención en una sesión plenaria en el Congreso de los Diputados, a 26 de marzo de 2025, en Madrid (España).
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Overview

  • The Council of Ministers approved a €10.471 billion defense investment package, raising Spain's military budget to 2% of GDP this year, four years ahead of the 2029 NATO deadline.
  • The plan includes a €2.819 billion credit transfer to the Ministry of Industry to fund defense and security projects, focusing on public-private collaboration and dual-use technologies.
  • Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the investment will not affect social spending, raise taxes, or increase public debt, leveraging EU funds and budget reallocations.
  • Left-wing coalition partner Sumar and other allies criticized the plan for its focus on arms procurement and lack of internal consensus, while the PP called for parliamentary oversight.
  • The government aims to present its achievements at the June NATO summit, where new defense spending benchmarks of 3-3.5% of GDP are expected to be discussed.