EU defence chief Andrius Kubilius has questioned why Spain should be permitted to spend only 2.1% of GDP on military capabilities while other NATO allies commit to 3.5%.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The European Commissioner for Defence and Space delivered his pointed remarks during an interview in Brussels, directly challenging the Spanish government’s defence spending plans.
Spain’s Defence Spending Faces European Scrutiny
The former Lithuanian prime minister emphasised that collective European security depends on every member state pulling their weight. Furthermore, he stressed that countries failing to invest adequately in military capabilities weaken not only themselves but the entire EU and NATO alliance. Consequently, his comments represent a significant challenge to Spain’s defence strategy.
“When all other countries are investing or have committed to investing 3.5%, I don’t know what the reasons might be for why Spain should be allowed to somehow invest only 2.1%,” Kubilius stated unequivocally. His position aligns with NATO’s agreed targets from the alliance’s June summit in The Hague.
The Commissioner’s remarks come amid growing concerns about European security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, he warned that intelligence services across member states predict Russia may test NATO’s Article 5, which treats an attack on one ally as an attack on all.
European Rearmament Gains Momentum
Kubilius defended the ambitious rearmament programme as essential for maintaining peace in Europe. “If we cannot guarantee peace, people will really suffer in every way – socially, economically and ecologically,” he explained. Therefore, investing in defence forms the foundation for social development across the continent.
The Commissioner also highlighted potential economic benefits for countries like Spain with strong defence industries. Companies such as Indra could secure major contracts through joint European procurement initiatives. Moreover, collective purchasing could reduce costs by up to 30%, making increased defence spending more efficient.
However, Kubilius acknowledged current limitations in European defence manufacturing. “Our industry doesn’t produce everything we need,” he admitted, noting that substantial funds are currently spent purchasing weapons from the United States and South Korea. This situation creates what he described as a “vicious circle” that European initiatives aim to break.
The EU’s first-ever Defence Commissioner expressed pride in the bloc’s progress during his inaugural year. He cited the European rearmament plan as a major achievement accomplished with “unique speed” despite challenging circumstances. Meanwhile, the debate over national spending priorities continues across member states.
As European nations grapple with security challenges, the pressure on Spain to increase its defence expenditure appears likely to intensify. The Commissioner’s comments reflect broader concerns about military preparedness amid evolving geopolitical threats. Ultimately, the discussion about adequate defence spending remains crucial for Europe’s future security architecture.
Join our WhatsApp broadcast channel for instant news updates!
Source: Read original article
