“Investments in Defense must yield returns and have the capacity to develop a national scientific system that serves Defense, but also other areas of the country, contributing to wealth creation in Portugal,” stated António José Seguro.
Referring to NATO member countries’ commitment to increase Defense spending to 5% of GDP, the presidential candidate advised “prudence” in spending, stating: “5% is a lot of money.”
Seguro maintains that “a significant amount is already spent on defense by NATO countries, and particularly by European countries, and what’s needed is economy of scale.”
For Portugal, “before spending more, it’s necessary to spend better,” he said, explaining that “every euro invested in Defense must yield returns and have the capacity to develop a national scientific system that serves Defense, but also other areas of the country and aids in wealth creation.”
In Caldas da Rainha, where he visited Tekever (a company responsible for building drones, surveillance devices, and satellite components), António José Seguro considered it one of the “examples of excellence the country should pursue and replicate.”
The company, which, among other missions, supplies drones to Ukraine, demonstrates that it’s possible to “invest in innovation and technology in our country to serve Defense, but simultaneously also serve other areas, such as the economy, exclusive economic zone surveillance, Civil Protection, and fire surveillance,” he explained.
Questioned during the visit about the Socialist Party postponing support for a presidential candidate until after the local elections, Seguro refrained from commenting on this or other candidacies, stating that his role, as a presidential candidate, “is to focus on the country, showcase good examples the country has, examples of excellence like Tekever, and draw attention to problems in areas such as health or housing.”
The visit to the company in Caldas da Rainha, in the Leiria district, was part of the “Fair and Excellent Country” tour the candidate is conducting, which will continue on Wednesday with a meeting with the mission structure for the extension of the Continental Shelf, and on Thursday with a visit to a Portuguese pharmaceutical industry producing medicines.
