@notsoloud It is important not to overdo it though.
Countries are not attacked when the attacker clearly loses way too much to justify the attack. This can be military might which can inflict unacceptable damage to attacker, economic relations which make it the act of slaying the chicken laying golden eggs (or any kind of eggs which threatens sustenance) or mix of both. In a nutshell - rich, healthy and strong don't get attacked or subdued.
However if something is seen as existential threat then preemptive attack can be seen as desperate measure without another way out.
Also overspending on defense can lead to degradation of everything else, cause unnecessary arms race and lead to one or both of the above.
So the right message in my opinion isn't "weapons, weapons, more weapons" but "let's be strong, rich and healthy".