NATO: Italian Defense Minister hearing

In 2024, Italy is far from the target of spending 2% of GDP on armaments

Also in 2024, Italy's expenditure in the defense sector will further distance our country from the aim of spending at least 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP), as recommended by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Italian military budget between now and 2028 is destined to reduce again, the Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, declared today during a Question Time in Parliament.

"Defense spending has fallen steadily: in 2020 it was 1.59%, then in 2021 it was 1.57%, it fell in 2022 to 1.51%, finally in 2023 it was 1.46 %. And in 2024 it will probably drop further". "This is not news that makes me happy", said the Italian minister.

"With regards to the issue of 2% of GDP to be invested, a percentage which, I recall, was established 10 years ago by the Heads of State and Government and confirmed by all the preceding Executives, this threshold, after Vilnius, no longer represents a point of arrival but a starting point", concluded Crosetto, underlining that even reaching a less ambitious goal in 2028 was "difficult".

Gic - 1256973
Rome, Italy, 02/28/2024 16:33
AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency

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