Spain will stick to 2% of GDP defense spending goal, defense minister says

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — A Spanish service member and a working dog are seen in a photo posted to X/Twitter on Dec. 1, 2020 by Ejército de Tierra (Spanish Army)

MADRID  -  Spain stands by its defence spending target of 2% of GDP, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Thursday, as pressure grows from NATO leadership and the United States for the Mediterranean country to increase it.

"We think that this 2% is enough to meet the responsibilities we have committed to," Robles said. 

Spain will not veto a NATO decision to raise the defence spending target during a summit to be held later this month in The Hague, she said.

"What is important is that each country is able to meet the objectives it has set itself," she added.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in April a plan to increase military spending by 10.5 billion euros  ($11.99 billion) this year, bringing forward to this year a goal to meet the 2% of GDP target from its previously self-imposed deadline of 2029.

Despite the new plan Spain, which spent just 1.3% on defence in 2024, the lowest among NATO members, is under pressure to spend even more. 

European defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on May 3 Spain ought to raise spending to 3% of GDP.

($1 = 0.8755 euros)

 (Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga and Inti Landauro, editing by Aislinn Laing // REUTERS)