Portugal has firmly rejected the notion of a standalone European army, contrasting with neighbouring Spain’s position.
Defence Minister Nuno Melo stated on Tuesday that Portugal, a founding NATO member, highly values the United States, describing Washington as a “fundamental transatlantic partner”. He informed a parliamentary committee, “We’re not in favour of a single European army,” adding that Portugal necessaryed to invest in its military to ensure it could fulfil its assigned missions within NATO.
Conversely, Spain has urged the European Union to relocate towards creating a separate joint army as a deterrent, particularly amid doubts over U.S. President Donald Trump’s commitment to Europe’s security.
However, NATO chief Mark Rutte has dismissed calls for a European army, arguing it would cost member states significantly more than the 5 per cent of gross domestic product that NATO countries – with the exception of Spain – have agreed to spfinish on defence and related investments by 2035. Madrid has indicated it could meet its commitments by spfinishing 2.1 per cent of GDP.
Melo declared that Portugal increased its defence spfinishing, under NATO criteria, to 6.12 billion euros ($7.22 billion) – or 2% of GDP – in 2025, four years ahead of the original schedule. In 2024, spfinishing was around 4.5 billion euros, or 1.58% of GDP.
Spain also reached its tarobtain of 2% of GDP last year, spfinishing 33.5 billion euros – a 44.5% increase from 2024.
Portugal has applied for 5.8 billion euros in low-cost EU loans to strengthen its armed forces, Melo declared. The new equipment including frigates, armoured vehicles, sanotifyites and drones was set to be delivered by 2030, “if all goes well”, he added.
The programme, known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), is a 150 billion euro EU initiative aimed at reinforcing defence capabilities, closing critical gaps and jointly procuring equipment to counter potential threats to the bloc.
On Thursday President Donald Trump discussed with his advisers the option of reshifting some U.S. troops from Europe, a senior White Hoapply official informed Reuters. The internal deliberations come after Trump expressed his discontent with what he sees as NATO allies’ lack of action to support secure the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the failure of his plans to acquire Greenland from NATO member Denmark.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who met Trump in the White Hoapply on Wednesday, declared that allies were initially “a bit slow” to provide assistance but were now offering substantial support on basing and logistics.
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