The state budget for 2023 foresees a total consolidated expenditure of 2,584.9 million euros, focusing on the investment of more than 17 million euros in the military programming law compared to the 2022 estimates.
According to the report on the state budget for 2023 (OE2023), handed over to the Assembly of the Republic on Monday, the government estimates to spend 2,584.9 million euros on National Defence, which amounts to an additional 198.4 million euros in comparison. with the estimated expenditure for 2022 (2,386.5 million).
Taking these figures into account, the government points to an increase of approximately 8.3% in the National Defense budget.
In the 2022 budget – which placed the country in 12th place in the first half of the year – the government estimated total consolidated defense spending slightly higher than it is currently forecasting at 2,450.7 million.
Compared to the total consolidated expenditure that the government has foreseen in the national budget for 2022, the difference with the amount expected to be spent in 2023 decreases to 134.2 million euros, which corresponds to an increase in Defense of about 5.5 %.
According to the same report, the executive expects to spend 430.6 million euros on the Military Programming Act (LPM), an increase of 17 million from the previous year.
With regard to the Military Infrastructure Act (LIM), the government is allocating 22 million euros, an increase of 14 million compared to the estimate for 2022.
The Detached National Forces (FND) will be allocated 73 million euros for 2023 – an increase of about three million -, health costs are estimated at 21 million euros and the costs of retirement and pensions fall from 82.4 million in 2022 to 81. 5 million in 2022. 2023.
In 2023, given the new geostrategic framework resulting from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the commitments of the Ministry of National Defense for the projection of National Deployed Forces on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are assured, in accordance with Portugal’s obligations under the Alliance and in accordance with international law,” emphasizes the government.
In the report, the majority director emphasizes “the interventions foreseen in the LPM, namely contracts for the maintenance of KC-390 aircraft, maintenance of the EH-101 helicopter fleet, operationalization and modernization of the weapon systems of the F-16 aircraft and also for the leasing of C-295 aircraft and air assets under the Special Rural Fire Fighting Device (DECIR)”.
“The investment is EUR 505.9 million, of which EUR 301.4 million is within the scope of the LPM, with the expenditure related to the program for the procurement of military strategic transport aircraft KC-390 and the construction of two ocean patrol vessels ” is highlighted.
Regarding investments funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), “the investment of approximately 46 million euros, mainly under Pillar I – Naval Platform, as well as 25.2 million euros to support the acquisition of air assets by the state for DECIR “.
“In terms of revenues from the sale of goods and services, EPR – Arsenal do Alfeite stands out, with a forecast of 41.2 million euros, mainly due to repair services to the Portuguese navy,” the text emphasizes.
The executive commits to continue the study “for the adequacy of the mechanisms of recruitment, retention and relocation, which emphasizes the establishment of the permanent staff of soldiers in the army and air force and the strengthening of the special contract regime, alongside investment in training and qualification”.
The government also lists as “new income generating initiatives” the holding of training actions at the training academy of Arsenal do Alfeite, SA”.
Source: DN
