Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez strongly defends the need to increase investment in defense at the European level in the face of Russia's aggressive actions to strengthen the deterrence potential and bring the sector's industry to a level that would be in line with the European economy. This is reported by El Boletin, according to UNN.
Details
Before the plenary session of the Congress of Deputies, Sánchez again expressed regret that the European security and defense industry had been "neglected for too long," resulting in a €56 billion investment deficit.
We have fewer capabilities, we suffer from digital vulnerability, which is increasing as a result of the growth of artificial intelligence, and serious shortcomings in the defense industry, despite the fact that the European economy is seven times larger than the Russian one,
For this reason, he said that the EU should "have the same cards that other states have, if only so that we don't have to use them." "We have to strengthen our deterrence capabilities so that we are not feared, so that we do not engage the world in an arms race, but so that we are respected, so that we can defend the great project of peace, democracy and freedom that is Europe," Sanchez emphasized.
Spain, the prime minister said, wants to play a "role that is appropriate to its position as the fourth largest economy in Europe" and with the fourth largest army. "We must continue to increase our investments, improve the coordination of our armed forces with those of the member states and support the initiatives of the European Commission," he said, although he made it clear that at the same time the government would continue to be committed to "diplomacy and peace.
Recall
Spain may soon transfer 20 more Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but as the vehicles are in conservation, it will take time to repair them beforehand.
Lithuania calls on NATO to speed up transition to war economy4/10/24, 10:18 AM