countries Atlantic Alliance increased in 2022 eighth consecutive yearHE defense spending an increase of 2.2% in real terms, which means an additional 350,000 million allocated to military spending since 2014. Despite this, Spain continues without raising its positions and, after Luxembourg, ranks in the tail of the Atlantic Alliance countries with an expenditure of 1.09. That’s almost half of the agreed target for next year, according to provisional data released by NATO. “Since 2014, the Allies have increased their defense spending and we are moving in the right direction. However, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that “We are not progressing as fast as the dangerous world we live in demands”.
The Norwegian politician, who will leave office at the end of September, has announced that many allies have announced their intention to significantly increase military spending, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a little over a year ago. “Now these promises must be translated into real money, contracts and tangible equipment because defense spending is the foundation of everything we do (…) I welcome all the progress that has been made” but “it is clear we must do it. We must do it more and faster,” insisted Stoltenberg for several As he announced a week ago, he will ask NATO leaders at the Vilnius summit to agree on a new defense investment commitment “more ambitious” than the current one.
At the 2014 summit in Wales, the Allied countries committed to allocate 2% of their Gross Domestic Product to military spending by 2014. A figure that only 7 countries fit today, just one year after the date set in the calendar: Greece (3.54%), United States (3.46%), Lithuania (2.47%), Poland (2.42%), United States Kingdom (2.16%), Estonia (2.12%) and Latvia (2.07%). “We expected more”, but “more (country) is approaching 2%,” said the hopeful Norwegian politician, who thinks “investing more” is necessary in a “more dangerous world” like now. in defense”.
more ambitious target
This is what he will ask other allied leaders at the Vilnius (Lithuania) summit in early July. “I hope the Allies agree on a new and more ambitious defense investment commitment of at least 2% of GDP. In this new and more contentious world, we cannot underestimate our security.” Countries approaching the 2% target are Croatia (1.89%), France (1.89%), the Slovak Republic (1.76%), Romania (1.75%) and the Netherlands (1.64%). defense spending last year. Countries at the bottom of the rankings did as well, but this increase caused them to drop the red light occupied by Luxembourg (0.62%), Spain (1.09%), Belgium (1.18%), Slovenia (1.26%). did not allow. %) and Canada (1.29%).
According to the Alliance’s annual report, 26 of the thirty allied countries increased their military spending last year, and only three (US, Turkey, Montenegro) reduced their military spending. The comparison also confirms that the majority of Allies adhered to the second political commitment put forward nine years ago: to devote 20% of spending to the purchase of military equipment. Of the thirty allies, 25 comply. In the case of Spain, 26% was allocated to these purchases.
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.