Portugal to buy European and US defense equipment to boost military readiness
Photo: Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel (Getty Images)
Portugal plans to buy defense equipment from both Europe and the US as it prepares to increase military spending to meet NATO targets, reports Bloomberg, citing Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel.
"We want clearly to invest in European defense. Even the Portuguese defense industry is progressing a lot, if you look at, for instance, drones," Rangel said.
He noted that the purchases will include aircraft and ships but declined to provide further details, citing procurement rules.
At the same time, Rangel described Trump's goal of raising NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP as "totally right." He explained that this target has been made more flexible due to heavy pressure on defense companies. As countries increase spending and place more orders, deliveries may be delayed.
"(You have to keep in mind -ed.) probably in one year you cannot get anything, and then you can get two or three," he said.
Rangel emphasized that the West must continue its strategy to achieve peace in Ukraine. He said Russia is "not acting in good faith or goodwill." According to him, several measures are being considered to increase pressure on the Kremlin, including secondary sanctions.
The Minister also urged the US to impose sanctions, adding "another degree of pressure," and to step up engagement with China and India on ending the war.
Bloomberg reports that next week, Rangel will join Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro on a state visit to China and Japan.
NATO members increase defense spending
At the end of June 2025, a NATO summit was held in The Hague. Following the meeting, Alliance leaders pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP within 10 years. This target had been proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Last week, it was also reported that NATO members plan to spend more than $1.5 trillion on defense in 2025, far exceeding Russia's military budget.
