Drones 'made in Portugal' that are making waves abroad

In recent years, several armed conflicts have broken out or worsened, plunging the world into a climate of growing instability and uncertainty about the future. This scenario has led many countries to increase their investments in the area of ​​defense, in a more aggressive and strategic manner. In 2024, Portugal allocated 1.46% of its GDP to defense, according to estimates released in the annual report of the Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance, the Dutch Mark Rutte. This figure remains below the target set by NATO, set at 2%, but the country has already committed to gradually increasing this financial effort in the coming years, with the aim of boosting the production and acquisition of military equipment and technology in Europe.

In this context, the European Commission has presented a proposal that allows Member States to increase defence spending by up to 1.5% of GDP per year, for four years, without being penalised by the European Union's budgetary rules - namely those that impose limits on the public deficit above 3% of GDP.