Italy to Increase Defense Spending to 2% of GDP by 2025, Aligning with NATO Standards

Italy has announced plans to increase its defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025, aligning with NATO’s established benchmark. 

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a statement during a parliamentary session in Rome, emphasizing the country’s commitment to collective defense amid evolving security challenges, Bloomberg reports on May 7.

Currently, Italy’s defense expenditure stands at approximately 1.5% of GDP, placing it below the NATO standard and lagging behind several allied nations. The decision to boost defense spending is informed by ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as calls from the United States for greater defense contributions from NATO member states, according to Bloomberg.

Prime Minister Meloni clarified that the 2% target will be achieved not only through direct budget increases but also by reclassifying certain expenditures as defense-related, a method already employed by other nations.

Earlier, NATO had begun a phased audit of Ukrainian military higher education institutions, a process that could lead to the recognition of Ukrainian military diplomas across Alliance countries. The audit started with a self-assessment stage, requiring Ukrainian military academies to submit detailed reports and complete questionnaires assessing their compliance with NATO educational standards.

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