Argentina to raise defense budget two years after seeking NATO global partner status

Argentina's government plans to raise defense spending in its 2027 budget, two years after asking for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) global partner status. President Javier Milei has instructed Economy Minister Luis Caputo to prioritize the increase in the executive's upcoming bill to Congress. The budget allocation remains unspecified, but it will be financed from the fiscal surplus, with no cuts elsewhere, according to Economy Ministry sources.

Argentina formally requested global partnership status from NATO on April 18, 2024, in a letter delivered by then Defense Minister Luis Petri to NATO's Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana in Brussels. This request does not seek full NATO membership, as Article 10 of the founding treaty only allows European states to become members.

Argentina's pursuit of global partnership status follows a modernization of its armed forces, including the purchase of aircraft and vehicles from various countries. The nation is also involved in an Arctic exercise led by Canada and has recently announced plans for a naval base in Ushuaia, part of its efforts to strengthen sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands.

Argentina's request for NATO global partnership comes amid escalating disputes with the United Kingdom, a founding member of the alliance, which has filed criminal complaints and administrative proceedings against Argentine oil companies in the Falklands' waters.