Strengthening support for Ukraine and investing in defense are the topics discussed at the NATO summit, which will begin on Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the heads of state and government of 31 members of the organization will attend.
As of 2022, Portugal was the 9th member state of the military organization that allocated the smallest percentage of GDP to defense spending (1.38%), according to a report by the NATO Secretary General. Allies are being asked to reach 2%, a target they have committed to achieving by 2024.
Portugal estimates that this target will only be reached in 2030. The country’s forecasts for this year indicate that 1.66% of GDP will be allocated to defense, but NATO indicates a lower estimate than the António Costa government’s estimate of 1.48%.
This Sunday, the Prime Minister visited the Portuguese Air Force soldiers participating in the NATO missions in Lithuania. In total, Portugal participates with 118 soldiers and five aircraft in two missions of the Alliance: “Security Measures” and “Police Air Police in the Baltic States”.