Austria intends to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP

The Austrian authorities plan to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP, as well as participate in joint arms procurement programs within the European Union (EU). This was announced by the Chancellor of the Republic Christian Stoker in an interview with the newspaper Kleine Zeitung.

"Given the budgetary situation and the economic development of Austria, this is a very ambitious goal," he is quoted as saying in the publication.

Shtoker noted that the country plans to participate in joint arms procurement programs within the EU and join the initiative to allocate about €800 billion by the member states.

The Chancellor confirmed that Vienna will participate in the implementation of the Sky Shield project, which involves the creation of a European missile defense system (ABM). He noted that countries with a neutral status, such as Austria, can participate in such initiatives.

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On April 2, Stoecker stated that investing 2% of GDP in defense is Austria's goal. In addition, he noted that the country will continue to participate in supporting Ukraine within the framework of European solidarity, based on its neutral status.