MADRID – Spaniards are increasingly backing stronger national defence and security investment, but appear to think economic measures rather than pure military spending can boost their security much more, a recent industry survey reveals.

A study by GAD3 and TEDAE, the Spanish Association of Defence, Security, Aeronautics and Space Technology Companies, found that 69% of Spaniards are more worried about armed conflicts than they were five years ago.

But only 23% saw international conflicts and geopolitical tensions as the “main threat” facing the country, behind irregular migration and pressure on the borders at 28%. Meanwhile, direct military threats from other countries remain relatively low at 7%.

Instead, the top concerns stemming from global conflicts are economic: energy prices (64%), the cost of living (63%), and the broader global economy (61%).

Among key defence measures, 46% believe it is crucial to reduce energy dependence, whilst support for the creation of a European army and the promotion of the national defence industry stand at 26% and 25%, respectively.

Additionally, 42% believe the current investment in defence and security is “adequate”, just slightly higher than the 40% who view it as “insufficient”. More than half, meanwhile, agreed that spending 2% of GDP on defence is a good target.

Spain achieved that NATO-mandated threshold last year after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced an industrial plan to modernise the armed forces. This, according to NATO data, boosted Madrid’s military expenditure to €33.9 billion in 2025 – almost double that of the previous year.

The military alliance however decided last year to raise that target to 5% of GDP, including defence-related expenditures, by 2035, a number to which Sánchez objected, drawing the ire of US President Donald Trump who suggested Spain should be expelled from NATO.

Yet when it comes to who to trust in the event of a crisis, NATO (55%) and the EU (51% were perceived as “most prepared”, with only about a third of citizens putting their faith in their government.

Overall, public opinion strongly supports the defence industry.

European aerospace giant Airbus, Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, and radar technology firm Indra continue to be the primary beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Defence Ministry.

Nearly eight out of ten (77%) of those surveyed said they view these companies as “relevant” to national security.

Interestingly, more than 50% favour a decentralised approach that utilises specialised firms across various sectors, rather than consolidating defence public tenders under a single “national champion”, which 23% of those surveyed approve.

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