INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
government will submit the plan to Brussels and NATO for review
Spain moves from 1.28% of GDP in 2024 to 2% in 2025, closing a long-standing gap as the lowest spender among major NATO economies.The
government insists this surge will not raise taxes, increase debt, or cut social spending
Officials say the money will come from redirected EU recovery funds, government savings, and unused budget items from 2023.This approach
aims to limit fiscal risk while meeting alliance commitments
The plan divides new spending across five pillars
NATO Defense Target and Boost Industry
Nearly 19% will fund new defense and deterrence equipment, while 17% supports dual-use assets for disaster response, such as rescue
infrastructure.Officials say 87% of the money will stay with Spanish businesses, supporting industrial corridors and jobs, while less than
research and development investment by 18%, and create 100,000 jobs
plans to reach 2.36% in 2025 and Poland leads Europe at 4.7% of GDP
strengthen its defense sector and retain value in the national economy
alliance pressure, not ideology
