Spain, Croatia Plan Defense Budget Increases Amid NATO Pressure

Spain is set to increase its defense budget by an additional 2.08 billion euros ($2.28 billion) this year, reallocating funds to procurement contracts under the Defense Ministry amid growing pressure from NATO allies to meet spending commitments. Currently, Spain's defense expenditure is the lowest among NATO members at approximately 1.3% of GDP, prompting the government to aim for the NATO target of 2% by 2029. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been advocating for this increase, despite facing domestic opposition regarding defense spending. The additional funding is intended to enhance Spain's military capabilities and align with the commitments made to NATO, as other European nations, including Croatia, also plan to boost their defense budgets significantly. This strategic shift reflects broader concerns about security guarantees from the U.S. and the need for European nations to bolster their military readiness. The specifics of how the funds will be allocated remain to be detailed by the government.