Portugal armed forces chief says defence assets insufficient

LISBON, Portugal – The chief of staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces says Portugal’s military resources are “unsustainable” due to a shortage of personnel.

Admiral Antonio Silva Ribeiro says in media interviews Thursday that the armed forces have about 26,000 men and women — far short of the required 32,000.

He tells radio station Renascenca and newspaper Publico that the armed forces have difficulty attracting and keeping recruits because of low pay.

NATO says Portugal, a member of the alliance, spent an estimated 1.35% of its GDP on defence last year.

That is shy of the target of 2% by 2024 but more than Germany, Italy or Spain.