Defense Budgets Under Scrutiny: Slovakia and Italy
To meet NATO’s minimum threshold of 2% of GDP, Slovakia has included the cost of building two civilian hospitals in its reported defense expenditures. According to former Slovak ambassador to NATO Tomáš Valášek, without these projects, Bratislava's figure would stand at just 1.74% of GDP—not the declared 2%. Slovakia’s 2025 defense budget totals €2.88 billion, an increase of €90 million from the previous year.
Italy’s Approach to Meeting NATO Targets
Italy, which recorded defense spending of 1.49% of GDP in 2024, reported hitting the 2% mark in 2025. However, over €14 billion—more than 30% of that budget—was allocated to military mobility and cybersecurity rather than traditional arms procurement. Italian officials have stated that there are no plans to increase defense spending, noting that the priority ahead of elections is lowering electricity prices.
These developments come against the backdrop of a NATO summit decision in The Hague in June 2025, where member countries agreed to raise spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The original 2% minimum was established 12 years ago following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Commenting on the 5% commitment, Spain described it as a purely political agreement with no legal enforcement mechanism.
Overall, the defense spending situations in Slovakia and Italy highlight a delicate balancing act between political pledges and actual expenditures, especially in light of NATO’s escalating demands. Both nations are grappling with mounting pressure to boost defense outlays while trying to maintain economic stability and address domestic social priorities—a challenge that becomes even more pronounced before elections and amid evolving global security threats.
As nations like Slovakia and Italy navigate the complexities of defense spending, it is essential to consider broader trends in military budgets worldwide. For instance, global military expenditures have surged to unprecedented levels, with Ukraine dedicating a staggering 40% of its GDP to defense. This highlights the increasing pressure on countries to prioritize military readiness amid evolving security threats.