The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 25, 2025
Today: April 25, 2025

Spain to up defence spending by $2.3 billion as NATO pressure grows

FILE PHOTO: Milex 23 military drill in southern Spain
April 08, 2025
Reuters - Reuters

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain will spend an additional 2.08 billion euros ($2.28 billion) on defence this year by reallocating funds to Defence Ministry procurement contracts, the government said on Tuesday, as the country faces pressure from NATO allies to meet its spending targets.

Among the 32 members of NATO, Spain has the lowest defence spending as a share of its economic output, at just 1.3%. Getting to the alliance's 2% target would require spending roughly an additional 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) a year.

The country had committed to spending 2% by 2029, although Madrid recently vowed to reach the target well before that year - without specifying the new timeline - as Europe readies for a rearmament push.

"The government's will is to reach (the 2% target) as soon as possible," government spokesperson Pilar Alegria told a news briefing after a cabinet meeting.

She said the funds drawn from credit transfers would mainly be used for the "modernisation, maintenance and improvement of personnel, infrastructure and facilities" through existing contracts.

Spain's public budget has been rolled over since 2023 due to a lack of support for the minority government in a very fragmented parliament.

($1 = 0.9141 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro, David Latona and Emma Pinedo, Editing by Andrei Khalip)

Share This

Popular

Asia|Business|Economy|Technology|World

Construction of worldโ€™s tallest abandoned skyscraper to resume after a decade

Construction of worldโ€™s tallest abandoned skyscraper to resume after a decade
Business|Economy|Political|Technology|World

Automakers focus on the global market, chide the US over tariffs at Shanghai's auto show

Automakers focus on the global market, chide the US over tariffs at Shanghai's auto show
Business|Sports

A stunner in Jacksonville: Jaguars trade up to land 2-way star Travis Hunter in the NFL draft

A stunner in Jacksonville: Jaguars trade up to land 2-way star Travis Hunter in the NFL draft
Business|Economy|Europe

Rising bills and trade war push UK consumer mood to 17-month low

Rising bills and trade war push UK consumer mood to 17-month low

Political

Economy|Political|US

Trump orders Justice Department to investigate Democrats' top fundraising platform

Trump orders Justice Department to investigate Democrats' top fundraising platform
Political|US|World

Legendary civil rights attorney Fred Gray honored with statue in Alabama

Legendary civil rights attorney Fred Gray honored with statue in Alabama
MidEast|Political|US|World

Houthi rebels have shot down 7 US Reaper drones worth $200 million in recent weeks

Houthi rebels have shot down 7 US Reaper drones worth $200 million in recent weeks
Economy|Political|World

US nuclear force costs projected to soar to $946 billion through 2034, CBO says

US nuclear force costs projected to soar to $946 billion through 2034, CBO says