Spain's PM vows to implement plan for boosting defence before the summer

26/3/2025 17:10

The Spanish government will outline and start implementing a plan to boost the defence sector before the summer, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told lawmakers on Wednesday, without providing details.



"The objective of this plan is for Spain to contribute to and, at the same time, benefit from this technological and industrial stimulus to strengthen the European security and defence area, while remaining faithful to our principles," he said.



In a speech about new global geopolitical challenges, Sanchez also promised that any increase in investment in security and defence would be carried out without cutting spending on social or environment policies.



With Spain having the NATO alliance's lowest spending on defence at 1.3% of gross domestic product in 2024, Sanchez is seeking to keep pace with European partners worried about Russia's threat and U.S. unreliability under President Donald Trump.



He faces opposition at home from left-wing allies reluctant to sacrifice social spending for defence.