2 weeks Ago By Ot Serra
The Council of Ministers approved this Tuesday the industrial and technological plan for security and defense to meet the 2% GDP investment ratio it has committed to with NATO. This was announced by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, who appeared at a press conference. In his appearance before Congress less than a month ago, the head of the State's Executive promised a military spending plan that has now been finalized.
"With the plan we are presenting, Spain will meet the 2% GDP target for security and defense by 2025," Sánchez promised. "A significant effort of an additional €10.471 billion will be required," he asserted.
In total, military spending would amount to more than €33 billion. Sánchez has advanced the defense budget execution figure for 2024, a figure previously unknown because it depended on NATO approval. It will have been 1.
4%, that is, 0.12 percentage points higher than the 2023 rate (1.28%).
"We will jump from 1.4% to 2%," the Spanish president emphasized, once again making it clear that he will not reduce social spending or run an excessive public deficit. In his appearance, Sánchez summarized the plan's objectives as: "Guarantee the country's security, reindustrialize and boost the economy, fulfill our commitments as a reliable partner, and consolidate Spain as a relevant player in the EU.
" What will this money be used for? The plan has five pillars: first, and the largest, is to improve the pay of members of the armed forces, as well as their training systems. This represents 35% of the investment. Second, 31% will be allocated to acquiring new telecommunications and cybersecurity capabilities.
3.26 billion euros would be allocated to improving telecommunications systems, acquiring new antennas, radars, and satellites, and improving cybersecurity instruments for civilian and military use. "This is about creating a digital shield for Spain," said the president.
As for strictly military spending, on weapons, it will represent 19% of the plan. It will be used to purchase new defense and deterrence equipment. "These are not to attack anyone; Spain is pacifist, but to deter those who might think of attacking us," Sánchez clarified.
In addition, 17% of the total investment, approximately 1.75 billion euros, will be used to expand the fleet of rescue helicopters, logistics support, new rescue vehicles, tanker aircraft, and to launch a new hydrographic vessel. Basically, it will modernize the Ministry of Defense's infrastructure for civil emergency situations.
Finally, the remaining expenditure will be used to improve the conditions of the 3,000 military personnel and Civil Guards participating in missions abroad..
