Greece remains one of the European Union’s top defense spenders, allocating
Greece remains one of the European Union’s top defense spenders, allocating 3.08% of its GDP to military expenditures in 2024 — far surpassing NATO’s 2% guideline.
The country’s military investments come as EU nations dramatically increase their defense budgets in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising global security tensions.
A new European Parliamentary Research Service report shows that EU Member States collectively raised their defense spending from €218 billion in 2021 to €326 billion in 2024 — a 30% increase in real terms. But Greece, long accustomed to maintaining high defense outlays, stands out not just for meeting the 2% benchmark, but for consistently exceeding it — even during the depths of its financial crisis.
A key driver of Greece’s long-term military spending is its historic rivalry with neighboring Turkey. Persistent geopolitical friction between the two NATO members has led Athens to prioritize deterrence and modernization of its armed forces.
Over the past five years, Greece has launched an ambitious upgrade of its military arsenal. This includes the acquisition of 24 French Rafale fighter jets and frigates, as well as plans to purchase up to 40 U.S.-built F-35 fighter aircraft. In 2024, Greece allocated €7.1 billion to
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