Defense spending to drop below proposed NATO minimum of 2% of GDP

The Defense Ministry spending is set to drop below the NATO-recommended minimum of 2% of GDP next year, for the first time since 1996. In the first 2001 budget draft, prepared in June, Defense was to receive an equivalent of 2.08% of GDP, with spending on modernization of the army set to increase 24%. However, these outlays had been cut, as the Defense Ministry is now expected to get the equivalent of 1.87% of GDP. Spending on modernization will not increase at all, nor will outlays on training. Only salaries will increase. Meanwhile, almost 5,000 officers would be cut from the army if the government's reform plan is approved by Sejm. This does not appear likely, as it has not been consulted with the military. (Rzeczpospolita, page A2, Gazeta Wyborcza, page 7)