“It will be approximately one billion euros, perhaps a bit less, in direct investment in equipment acquisitions, infrastructures, and the enhancement of our human resources, pointing to an effort that is only possible because we have effectively balanced public finances and are able to make this available without the need for additional measures,” stated Luís Montenegro.
During a press conference at the NATO summit concluding today in The Hague, Netherlands, the Portuguese chief executive was questioned about the additional amount required by year-end for the country to meet 2% of GDP in military expenses and the concrete steps to achieve this goal.
Luís Montenegro recalled an initial enhancement of human resources decided last year and included in the State Budget for 2025.
“Obviously, our investment in this area will benefit this year, 2025, from the positive effects of having reached a set of decisions that increase our human resources’ value and improve our military forces’ ability to attract and retain personnel. That is one of the vectors,” he enumerated.
Furthermore, he noted, the country has a Military Programming Law (LPM) with “various objectives from the perspective of strengthening capabilities,” and the Government is “finalizing the possibility of anticipating some of the targets and prioritizing some of the instrument’s investment planning objectives.”
“In due course, as soon as possible, we will outline the specific areas that will see an increase in investment aimed at advancing goals, particularly regarding equipment and infrastructure,” he added.
Montenegro reiterated that the country will not require a corrective budget for this purpose, as funds are still available “within the budget” and the Ministry of Finance.
The Prime Minister emphasized that purchasing military equipment “is not exactly a trivial purchase,” as if one were “going to a dealership to buy a car,” and even then, “sometimes we have to wait a while to fulfill our order.”
Montenegro stressed the need to “streamline acquisition processes” and “establish commercial relationships with suppliers,” mentioning that the Government is already “on the ground” addressing this issue, but “the responses are not immediate.”
“However, there is no doubt that we will focus on human resources, equipment, and infrastructures. These three vectors will concentrate the essence of the investment we will make this year and next,” he detailed.
Regarding the potential reclassification of investments with “dual use,” meaning both military and civil, Montenegro disclosed that a joint effort is underway involving multiple ministries – Defense, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Education, and Environment – for this purpose.
[Updated at 14:18]
