Spanish military spending will exceed 40.457 billion euros, more than the 2% Trump is demanding.

BarcelonaEuropean rearmament, fueled by the threat from Russia and pressure from Donald Trump, is increasingly diverting public funds from Europe. And Spain is no exception. Pedro Sánchez's government has modified the Ministry of Defense budget in the extended budget, increasing it by €10.471 billion to €33.123 billion. However, according to calculations by the Delàs Center for Peace Studies, the real figure for Spanish military spending will rise by €40.457 billion, or 2.48% of the gross domestic product, almost half a percentage point above what the US president is demanding from NATO partners. According to researchers, this increase in spending, which is of historic proportions, is being done in a "camouflaged" manner and will translate into cuts in social spending.

For this calculation, the Delàs Center applies NATO's own criteria, which include funds allocated from other ministries, such as R&D credits for arms manufacturers attributed to the Industry, military mutual insurance companies, war pensions, contributions to military organizations such as NATO itself, as well as extraordinary credits and contributions and the corresponding debt interest. Taking all these concepts into account, the Delàs Center calculates that Spanish military spending actually stood at 1.82% of GDP in 2024, or €28.945 billion. This January, Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo traveled to Washington, where his US counterpart urged him to spend more on defense, something that Sánchez confirmed six days later.

Among the planned spending increases are a series of programs under the heading of "Modernization and improvement of training capabilities," which includes a laser system for Eurofighter fighter jets manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael, One of the 46 that the Spanish government has maintained with Israeli companies Despite having announced the cancellation of sales contracts due to the genocide in Gaza, the report also includes a €350 million budget for a tactical radio system awarded to the Israeli company Elbit. Delàs points out that arms purchases from Israel benefit companies supplying the Israeli army with weapons to commit genocide and calls on the Spanish authorities to legally establish a ban on the purchase and sale of arms to Israel.

Rearmament Race

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) show a record increase in global military spending of $2.7 trillion, a 9.4% increase compared to 2023, the largest increase since the Cold War. The regions where this increase has increased the most are Europe and the Middle East. The countries that spend the most on militaries are the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India, which represent 60% of total global spending. "The militarization of the EU also poses a threat to the peace and security of its citizens," warns Laëtitia Sédou of the European Network Against Arms Trade. "The recent plan for an additional €800 billion in military spending for the coming years will sooner or later lead to a reduction in public spending on healthcare, pensions, education, and the fight against climate change."