European Countries Increase Defense Spending Amid New Challenges

In 2025, Spain has planned additional defense spending of €2.08 billion, which will be allocated through the redistribution of funds for procurement contracts from the Ministry of Defense. It is important to note that among the 32 NATO members, Spain has the lowest defense spending as a percentage of economic output – only 1.3%. According to experts, achieving the Alliance’s target of 2% by 2029 will require additional spending of approximately €10 billion annually.

This is reported by AgroReview

Italy is also planning significant changes to its defense budget. The country is preparing to announce plans to increase defense spending to reach the target of 2% of GDP no later than the end of June. Currently, Italy allocates about 1.5% of its GDP to defense, and there is active discussion in military and political circles about the possibility of increasing funding to 3.5% of GDP.

Croatia is also not standing idly by. The country’s government plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and to 3% by 2030, while Zagreb currently spends 2% of its economic output. Negotiations are also underway with Germany regarding the purchase of 50 Leopard tanks.