Spain rejects the debate on the increase in the percentage of defense spending in NATO | Spain

The Spanish government, which announced in April that this year will fulfill its commitment to invest 2% of GDP in defenseinstead of in 2029, as planned, he resists talking about uploading that percentage. The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has rejected the debate before her counterparts of the European Union: « At this time it is not appropriate to talk about new percentages, » he said after the Foreign and Defense Council Council of the EU held on Tuesday in Brussels. « The important thing is to see what are the abilities that are needed » in the Alliance, he explained to the media.

There is just over a month for the NATO summit that will be held in The Hague at the end of June. The president of the United States, Donald Trump, squeezes and requires the partners of the Alliance not since they comply with 2% committed, but increase the investment up to 5%. « Spain is a reliable, responsible and serious ally, » said Robles. The minister explained at the meeting, as she has reported after the meeting, that complying with 2% is the Spanish priority at the moment.

The plan that Sánchez announced in April contemplates an additional expense of 10,471 million euros, in addition to the defense budget. An increase that generates rejection in a sector of society, and in adding, coalition partner of the Government. This is « a very important effort, » according to the minister. « We have passed in the last seven years of 0.92% to 2%. »

Spain is among the latest NATO Member States in Investment in Defense. Last year ended 1.40% in military spending, according to the Government, above 1.28% planned. The Executive has calculated that with that extra investment plan it would be able to meet the objective of 2% before the end of the year. The problem is that this threshold will fall short in June. The NATO general secretary, Mark Rutte, has not yet officialized the proposal that will make the 32 members of the Alliance. On the table there is, however, a formula to reach 5% in 2032, with 3.5% of GDP dedicated to defense and 1.5% to a broader concept of security, such as infrastructure or cybersecurity.

« We would make a mistake if we set a percentage and then the European industries were not able to address that amount that results from that important increase, which is intended to take to the Summit of The Hague, » said the minister. Robles says that the position that Spain has defended against Rutte, who participated in the Meeting of European Defense Ministers, « has been very well received by other countries. » The NATO general secretary was convinced last weekend that Spain will reach 5%when asked in Tirana.

Speaking only in those quantitative terms regarding GDP, Oaks, « could produce distortions. » While the negotiations intensify a few weeks after the summit, Spain insists that it is « a reliable, responsible, serious ally that will continue to comply. » Defense argues that the country mainly shows its commitment to the alliance with its participation, for example, in peace missions.

First define capacities and needs in weapons, cybersecurity, technology and in space – explained the head of Defense – and then see how the industry can acquit them. All before setting a proportion, « that maybe many countries will not be able to comply, » the minister insisted. Robles has also questioned the objective of that expense. « Everything we talk about that percentage is to meet the needs of the east flank and we forget the southern flank, » he reflected.

Purchase of weapons to Israel

Asked if Defense continues to buy weapons from Israel, the minister has rejected it sharply. « We do not buy weapons from Israel. That has to be very clear. Since October 7, weapons are not bought from Israel. » Different thing, he explained, are another type of contracts that « are not armament. » « It should not be wrong. One thing is licenses, certain technology. As the president of the Government explains and another thing is armament, » he distinguished.

Regarding these products, Robles has answered that there is a case case, and if they are essential for the safety of the Spanish military.