Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced the launch of 15 new defence programs. She stated that these initiatives will enable the country to guarantee defense spending at 2% of GDP, thereby fulfilling key commitments to the North Atlantic Alliance.
Robles’s announcement came as a direct response to harsh criticism from US President Donald Trump, who had previously called Madrid a “catastrophic ally” for what he considered insufficient investment in collective defence. The minister emphasized that the new programs will strengthen Spain’s defence capability and make a significant contribution to NATO’s overall security.
“We are not only fulfilling our commitments but also demonstrating a serious approach to strengthening the Alliance. These 15 programs will cover key areas—from modernizing weapons and increasing troop readiness to developing new technologies and logistics,” Robles stated. According to the ministry, the programs include projects to purchase and modernize equipment, strengthen cyber defence, develop the military-industrial complex, and increase the number and training of personnel. Their implementation is expected to enable Spain not only to achieve its 2% GDP target but also to maintain it over the long term.
The NATO summit in Ankara will be an important platform for discussing allies’ defense spending. In the wake of Trump’s statements, many European countries are increasing their military budgets, seeking to avoid further pressure from Washington.
Spain has traditionally maintained a more restrained approach to military spending compared to its alliance leaders, but in recent years, under pressure from geopolitical challenges, Madrid has gradually increased its defence investments.