Lula promises to increase funding for Defense in 2024 and prioritize projects that Bolsonaro left aside

Lula government

The President has been talking with Minister Múcio about a gradual increase in the Armed Forces budget. This year, the forces have BRL 122.8 billion in their budget

The President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), has been meeting with members of the Ministry of Defense to define the budget of the Armed Forces for 2024. According to members of the government, the promise of the Palácio do Planalto is that the budget in the Budget Guidelines Law (LDO) for the Army, Navy and Air Force to be 0.2% higher than in 2023.

This year, the forces have BRL 122.8 billion in their budget, with BRL 36 million earmarked for national defense projects and the rest for machine costs. The amount means 1.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Army sources told CNN that the Ministry of Defense’s intention is to reach 2% of GDP in the coming years.

For 2024, the Planalto would have promised to increase the portfolio budget by around 0.2%, reaching 1.5% of the total wealth produced by the country. Lula would have said he intended to show the population that the PT government is interested in investing and improving relations with the Armed Forces.

During conversations with Minister José Múcio, Lula would have signaled the need for the Defense to prioritize projects that had been left aside during the government of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

Among them, the development of the weapon system for aircraft, the border protection system, with a focus on the defense of the Amazon, in addition to the old project to build a submarine powered by nuclear energy.

*With information from CNN Brazil

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