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The Economist reports on Javier Millais’ military profligacy; many Argentines are asking why
On July 9, Argentina’s National Day, President Milley was invited to attend a grand parade in the center of Buenos Aires.
Self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalists should be skeptical of large standing armies. Argentine President Javier Millais seems to be interested. Despite the government’s fiscal tightening, he has pledged to increase defense spending from 0.5% to 2% of GDP over the next eight years. He vows to “restore the prestige of the military” and transform it into a high-tech force.
Argentina spends less on defense as a percentage of gross domestic product than any other country in South America, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a think tank. Almost 90% of the armed forces budget goes to pay salaries and pensions for its 72,000 members. There is little left to maintain its aging ships, planes and vehicles.
Mr. Milley’s spending boost is partly an effort to deepen ties with the United States. He has shunned China and Russia since taking over a left-wing populist government in December. In April, he scrapped a deal to buy Chinese-made fighter jets and instead agreed to buy 24 second-hand F-16s from Denmark for $300 million (the United States backed the purchase with $40 million). Argentina has also asked to become a “global partner” of NATO, which would allow it to better cooperate and train with Western armed forces.
But Mireille’s move is worrying. With cuts to health and education budgets, it is not easy to invest a lot of money in the military. The bigger problem is that Argentines no longer know the purpose of the military. Mireille has no intention of competing with Britain for the Falklands. Despite occasional diplomatic disputes, Argentina’s relations with its neighbors are still good.
Mr. Milley has suggested using the armed forces to deal with internal threats, such as gangs. However, the idea is unpopular in a country that was under a bloody military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. The president and his allies often downplay the horrors of that period. In June, six lawmakers from his coalition visited former soldiers in prison for crimes against humanity committed during the military regime. While increasing military spending, Mr. Milley should not forget the lessons of the past.
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