Slovenia Signals Readiness to Increase Defense Spending in Line With NATO Commitments

Slovenia is prepared to increase its defense budget in line with NATO requirements, Defense Minister Borut Sajovic indicated ahead of ongoing alliance discussions on burden sharing and military readiness.

The minister said Ljubljana remains committed to fulfilling its obligations within NATO and is prepared to adjust defense expenditures accordingly. His remarks come as alliance members continue implementing the defense investment framework agreed at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague. 

Under plans adopted by the Slovenian government and parliament in 2025, the country aims to raise defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product by 2030. The roadmap follows Slovenia's achievement of the previous NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP in 2025 after years of spending below the alliance target. 

NATO leaders agreed in The Hague to pursue a broader defense and security spending goal equivalent to 5% of GDP by 2035. The framework allocates 3.5% to core military expenditures and 1.5% to defense-related investments, including infrastructure, resilience, logistics, and other security capabilities. 

For Slovenia, higher defense spending is expected to support ongoing modernization efforts across the armed forces while creating opportunities for participation in multinational procurement and European defense-industrial programs. The country has gradually increased military spending over the past decade as NATO members respond to a deteriorating security environment in Europe. 

The debate over defense expenditure remains politically sensitive in Slovenia, where discussions continue over the pace of future increases and the balance between military investment and other budget priorities. Nevertheless, government plans currently envisage a steady upward trajectory in defense funding through the next decade.