The decision taken at the government meeting was reported by the Spanish media, including the daily “El Pais”.
The article continues below the video
How much money did Spain spend on its army?
What will the additional funds be used for?
What are the main American bases in Spain?
Who criticized Spain for its defense spending?
Half of this amount is to be spent on the purchase of trucks. In addition, EUR 100 million are funds under the PURL program (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List – a mechanism for financing the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine by NATO countries), and over EUR 30 million will be allocated for the modernization of the Rota naval base.
Spain increases its involvement in NATO
The naval base located in Cadiz in southwestern Spain is one of two bases in this country used by American forces since the mid-20th century. The other is the air base in Moron, located 60 km southeast of Seville in Andalusia.
“The government is thus sending a signal about its commitment to NATO at the end of 2025, which was marked by tensions between (Spanish Prime Minister) Pedro Sanchez and (US President) Donald Trump due to Madrid's refusal to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP,” La Sexta TV portal commented on the government's decision.
Trump has repeatedly attacked Spain over the past year for low defense spending, even suggesting the country be kicked out of NATO. Sanchez's government maintains that it is able to meet all of the Alliance's goals with spending at the level of 2.1%. GDP.
Initially, Spain, which spent the least amount on defense in the entire NATO, was supposed to reach 2%. by 2029, but the government committed in the spring to do it this year.
