Fact Check: Spain's defense spending will only be 2.1% of GDP.

Fact Check: "Spain's defense spending will only be 2.1% of GDP."

What We Know

Spain's defense spending has been a topic of discussion, particularly in relation to its commitments to NATO. According to the World Factbook, Spain's military expenditures are estimated to be around 1.3% of its GDP for 2023. However, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain would be able to meet its NATO commitments by spending 2.1% of GDP on defense needs, as part of a deal to be exempt from a NATO target of 5% of GDP for defense spending (AP News). This announcement was made in the context of NATO's evolving defense spending guidelines and Spain's strategic military commitments.

Analysis

The claim that Spain's defense spending will be 2.1% of GDP is supported by multiple credible sources. The AP News article directly quotes Prime Minister Sánchez confirming this figure, stating, "Spain will, therefore, not spend 5% of its GDP on defense, but its participation, weight and legitimacy in NATO remain intact." This statement is corroborated by other reports, including a Reuters article that also confirms the 2.1% figure as part of Spain's commitment to NATO.

While the World Factbook indicates that Spain's current spending is lower at 1.3% of GDP, it is important to note that the 2.1% figure represents a planned increase rather than the current expenditure. This increase aligns with Spain's strategic goals to modernize its military and fulfill NATO obligations, as highlighted in various reports (Reuters, Washington Post).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include established news organizations and official government statements. The AP and Reuters are known for their rigorous journalistic standards, which adds credibility to the claims made regarding Spain's defense spending.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Spain's defense spending will only be 2.1% of GDP is accurate based on official statements from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and corroborated by multiple reliable news sources. This figure reflects Spain's commitment to NATO while also indicating a significant increase in defense spending from previous years.