“Investment in Defense must offer a return and should have the capacity to develop a national scientific system that serves Defense, as well as other areas of the country, contributing to wealth creation in Portugal,” stated António José Seguro.
Referring to NATO member countries’ commitment to increasing Defense expenditure to 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the presidential candidate advised “prudence” in spending, asserting: “5% is a substantial amount.”
In Seguro’s view, “a significant amount is already spent on defense across NATO countries, particularly European countries, and what is necessary is also an economy of scale.”
For Portugal, “before spending more, it is essential to spend better,” he said, explaining that “every euro invested in Defense must yield returns and have the capability to develop a national scientific system that serves Defense but also other areas of the country, aiding in wealth creation.”
In Caldas da Rainha, during a visit to Tekever (a company responsible for building drones, surveillance equipment, and satellite components), António José Seguro described it as an “exemplary model that [the country] should follow and replicate.”
The company, which supplies drones to Ukraine among other projects, demonstrates the possibility of “investing in innovation and technology in our country that serves Defense, and simultaneously also serves other areas like the economy, exclusive economic zone surveillance, Civil Protection, and fire monitoring,” he explained.
Asked, during the visit, about the Socialist Party deferring any potential support for a presidential candidate until after the local elections, Seguro refrained from commenting on this matter or other candidacies. He emphasized that his role as a presidential candidate is to “look at the country, showcase its exemplary models like Tekever,” and “draw attention” to issues in areas such as health or housing.
The visit to the company in Caldas da Rainha, in the district of Leiria, was part of the “Fair and Excellent Country” tour that the candidate is conducting. It will continue on Wednesday with a meeting with the mission structure of the Continental Shelf extension, and on Thursday with a visit to a Portuguese pharmaceutical company that produces medications.
