Alexander Vershbow, the alliance`s Deputy Secretary-General, says Portuguese investment in modern equipment last year was 8.7 percent of overall defense spending. He says the NATO guideline is 20 percent.
Vershbow also noted that Portugal`s defense spending in 2015 was 1.33 percent of gross domestic product — below NATO`s commitment to 2 percent, though slightly up on 2014. He says only five member countries meet the 2 percent target.
Portugal went into a three-year recession in 2011, almost going bankrupt during the eurozone debt crisis. It needed a 78 billion-euro ($88.8 billion) bailout, which required the government to cut spending.
Vershbow was speaking Thursday at a defense conference at the parliament in Lisbon.
NATO official wants Portugal to spend more on defense
24 June 2016
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NATO`s second-highest official has rebuked Portugal over its defense spending in a speech at a defense conference.
