Defence spending news in Portugal

Increase in defence spending still has no impact on the budget balance

5 fights that will shape NATO’s next Russia war plans

NATO allies are beginning talks on new military requirements as fears of a Russian confrontation grow.

Government forecasts 3.8 billion euros in National Defence spending, similar to 2026

The proposed 2027 State Budget estimates approximately 3.8 billion euros in expenditure for the National Defence sector, a figure similar to this year's with no significant fluctuations.

2027 State Budget: Defence to receive 2.15% of GDP with new KC-390 aircraft

The budget allocates 3.8 billion euros and paves the way for the renewal of air assets with KC-390 and Super Tucano aircraft. However, the replacement of the F-16s, promised in June to be 'coming soon', remains unclear.

Defence Minister's hearing on frigate deal approved unanimously

Members of the Defence Committee unanimously approved today the parliamentary hearing of Minister Nuno Melo regarding the acquisition process of three frigates from Italy, under the European SAFE loans. In addition to the hearing of Nuno Melo, proposed by the PSD, CDS-PP, and Chega, an invitation to the company was also approved.

Nuno Melo states that in politics not everything goes and says that the "mud" stays with those who throw it

The government official mentioned that the investment the PSD/CDS-PP government is making in defence is “bothering some people”.

Explainer: Frigates, the submarine bogeyman and explanations

The government believes the deal is necessary to modernise the Armed Forces and reach the target of 2% of GDP investment in Defence. A Portuguese company claims a role but is not requesting payment from the State.

NTG denies involvement in 'intergovernmental negotiation' regarding frigates

The Ministry of Defence reinforced this Thursday that the deal for three FREMM EVO frigates, using more favourable European loans to finance the investment in defence, had no intermediaries and was conducted directly between the Portuguese and Italian states. In a statement, the ministry overseen by Nuno Melo reiterated that 'with regard to...'

Left Bloc questions Government on price of frigates

The Left Bloc (BE) questioned the Ministry of Defence regarding the price of the three frigates purchased from Italy and the difference compared to the Italian contract for two frigates of the same type.

PSD and CDS-PP request hearing of Nuno Melo in Parliament regarding the acquisition of frigates from Italy

The parties have summoned the Minister of Defence “to dispel any doubt” regarding the acquisition of three frigates from Italy. The request is primarily signed by centrist MP João Almeida.

In the news today: defence spending, food, and Luís Neves

The Minister of Defence stated that the Court of Auditors and the Attorney General's Office would be part of the oversight body for SAFE investments; however, they will only do so informally, if they choose to. In Europe alone, the June heatwave is estimated to have reduced the value of... by approximately two billion euros.

Portugal to buy three frigates built by Italy's Fincantieri

AOL.com20 Jul

Investing in Defence is not looking for war, it is precisely about wanting to guarantee peace

Pedro Duarte, a commentator for CNN Portugal, believes that the need to invest in Defence is far from being a whim of Donald Trump and urges Europe to fend for itself after years of living under US protection.

5% of GDP invested in Defence? "It gives the impression that this figure is a whim of Trump and his page Mark Rutte"

CNN Portugal commentator Alexandra Leitão acknowledges that Europe must have greater strategic autonomy, including in Defence, in relation to the USA, a country she no longer classifies as a “partner”. She also leaves a question hanging: “Why 5%, when the USA itself spends less than 5%?”

If Europe allows the destruction of Ukraine, it means the Russians will carry out other types of interventions

José Pacheco Pereira, a commentator for CNN Portugal, has no doubt that Portugal 'will have to spend more on security and the Armed Forces', noting that the Russian threat does not only loom over countries of the former Soviet Union.

NATO predicts Portugal will reach 2.1% of GDP in Defence

An increase of nearly 600 million euros compared to 2025, the year in which the country spent 6.1 billion euros on defence, reaching the 2.01% target.

Montenegro: Portugal meets 2% target and Greenland is not a concern

Prime Minister Montenegro states that Portugal has reached the 2% defence spending target and that the situation regarding Greenland is not a cause for worry.

NATO: Rutte calls for plans to reach 5% of GDP in defence by 2035

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed confidence this Monday that allies will present 'clear, concrete and credible' plans at the Ankara summit to invest 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defence by 2035. 'At this summit, I expect countries to present clear, concrete and credible plans to reach the 5% target. And...'

Portugal heads to NATO summit confident it is in U.S.A’s ‘good books’

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro will arrive the NATO Summit, opening in Turkey on Tuesday, carrying something no previous Portuguese leader has been able to claim: defence spending above NATO’s long-standing The post Portugal heads to NATO summit confident it is in U.S.A’s ‘good books’ appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Portugal recorded the largest annual increase in Defence spending in the last decade in 2025

In 2025, Portugal saw its highest year-on-year growth in military expenditure over the past ten years.

Jornal Económico5 Jul

NATO: Portugal recorded the largest annual increase in defence spending in the last decade in 2025

According to NATO data, Portugal saw its highest year-on-year growth in defence expenditure since 2015.

Correio da Manhã Canadá5 Jul

Portugal sets out for NATO summit “with 2.01% of GDP on defence”

Portugal’s defence minister Nuno Melo says he is bound for the NATO summit in Ankara next week (July 7-8) with Portugal having reached 2.01% of GDP in military spending. In The post Portugal sets out for NATO summit “with 2.01% of GDP on defence” appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Nuno Melo announces that Portugal exceeds NATO target and invests 2.01% of GDP in Defence

The Portuguese Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo, confirmed that the country has surpassed the NATO spending goal by allocating 2.01% of its GDP to the defence sector.

Jornal SOL1 Jul

Portugal heads to NATO summit with 2.01% of GDP in Defence

Nuno Melo stated that the country “will continue to meet its commitments to NATO, namely regarding the formation of a medium brigade, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and air defence.”

Minister states that Portugal heads to NATO summit with 2.01% of GDP in Defence

The minister confirms that Portugal's defence spending has reached 2.01% of its GDP ahead of the upcoming NATO summit.

Public Procurement and Defence: The risk of a short circuit?

Europe is at a turning point regarding defence. The war in Ukraine, growing geopolitical instability, and the debate over European strategic autonomy have placed military investment at the top of the political agenda. Member States are being urged to increase defence spending — many heading towards 2% of GDP or more.

Europe cannot be saved by weapons alone

The author argues that Europe's focus on security spending must shift from mere procurement to building domestic industrial capacity. Using the example of a precision-engineered metal component, the text highlights that Portugal's increased defence spending should be leveraged to foster national expertise, technological advancement, and industrial competitiveness rather than just importing equipment. The piece concludes that true security is rooted in economic strength, innovation, and the ability to transform capital into sustainable national capability.

Poll: Only 11% of Europeans see the US as an ally

One in four Europeans views the US as a rival or adversary. A poll conducted in 15 European countries shows that Portugal is one of the countries most willing to cut public spending in favour of defence.

Portuguese among those most in favour of defence investment and open to a NATO alternative

Portugal is the European country where public support for funding defence investment has grown the most since 2025, according to a poll released this Wednesday. In November 2025, the figure was 26%, and now, in May, 42% of Portuguese people support increased defence spending. In a poll released by the European Council on Foreign Relations...