The United States of America is intensifying pressure on its NATO allies to significantly increase defense spending. A surprisingly high figure of 5 percent of GDP is being floated, as stated by the US Ambassador to the Atlantic Alliance, Matthew Whitaker, in Brussels on Wednesday. “This also applies to our Spanish friends,” Whitaker said, calling this figure a “starting point” for the debate at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. He clarified that this is not merely a proposal, but a clear expectation ahead of the meeting of defense ministers.
Spain Hesitates: Focus on Capabilities, Not Percentages
Spain, which currently spends only about 1.3 percent of its GDP on defense, is showing reluctance towards such percentage-based demands. The Spanish government argues that commitment to collective security should not be measured solely by percentages. Instead, Madrid emphasizes the importance of concrete military capabilities and contributions to the alliance’s various missions.
Defense Minister Margarita Robles reaffirmed this stance a few weeks ago: “We believe that at this time it is not appropriate to talk about new percentages; it is important to see what capabilities are needed.” She made it clear that Spain’s priority is currently to reach the already agreed-upon target of 2 percent of GDP, which the country intends to achieve this year with an approved investment plan of 10.471 billion euros. Robles stressed that Spain is a “reliable, responsible, and serious ally” and that talking about percentages may not correspond to the reality of Europe’s current capabilities.
NATO Summit in The Hague: New Goals in Sight
While the proposal to increase to 5 percent of GDP will be discussed at the NATO summit of heads of state and government in The Hague, most voices within the alliance advocate for a gradual increase from the current 2 percent to 3 or 4 percent as a final goal. The meeting is expected to discuss new goals for military capabilities and the necessary spending commitments to ensure the alliance’s security and deterrence.
The roadmap presented by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a month ago envisages investments of 10.471 billion euros to reach the 2 percent target this year. This plan includes more than 30 programs for modernizing the armed forces. A particular focus is on the acquisition of new defense and deterrence assets, as well as the renewal of telecommunications and cybersecurity capabilities, with 31 percent of the budget allocated to these essential areas.
