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Protect what matters: our defence

Protecting what matters means working together. The EU is taking action to better defend its citizens, secure its borders, and safeguard its future by aligning efforts, investing resources, and acting together.

A changing security environment

The security environment has changed fundamentally. Russia's war against Ukraine, growing geopolitical rivalries, hybrid threats, and rapid technological change have reshaped what it means to keep European citizens safe and preserve peace. 

The European Union is responding with unity, investment, and resolve. 

What Europeans expect

Security is a growing priority for citizens across Europe. 

68% believe their country is under threat
79% support a common European defence and security policy

Delivering together

European defence is built on cooperation. Working at EU level helps Member States 

  • jointly develop capabilities more efficiently
  • reduce duplication
  • invest better, at lower cost
  • coordinate better and faster

Together, they are strengthening the EU’s role as a credible security actor and reinforcing the transatlantic partnership with NATO.

EU defence in numbers

Building on the EU Defence Industrial Strategy, the White Paper for European Defence, and the Readiness Roadmap 2030, Europe has put real investment behind its words. 

€800 billion surge in defence spending across Member States until 2030
€7.3–8 billion committed through the European Defence Fund to support joint research and capability development (2021–2027)
€1.5 billion for scaling up defence investments and strengthening industrial capacity

The programmes making defence a reality

EU programmes now cover the entire defence cycle, from research to procurement to financing. They are driving industrial growth, creating jobs, and helping deliver critical capabilities Europe needs. They are backed by up to roughly €810 billion in defence investment and fiscal flexibility for Member States in the coming years. 

RESEARCH AND CAPABILITY
European Defence Fund

EDF reinforces Europe’s defence capabilities by promoting collaborative research and development, strengthening innovation and enabling industry to the scale up and compete

INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY AND READINESS
EDIP

EDIP enhances Europe’s defence industrial readiness by expanding production capacity, ensuring sustained output and reinforcing industrial and technological base. It builds on instruments developed in response to the war in Ukraine - EDIRPA and ASAP

FINANCING AT SCALE
Security Action for Europe (SAFE)

SAFE strengthens Europe’s defence industry by enabling coordinated large-scale investment and long-term planning. Through added fiscal flexibility, Member States can temporarily exceed deficit limits for defence spending, unlocking up to €800 billion over four years and giving industry greater certainty to invest, innovate, and deliver

Industry at the core

Security and economic strength go hand in hand. This is why European industry powers Europe’s security. By working closely with businesses, across manufacturing, technology and supply chains, the EU is 

  • helping companies scale up
  • supporting innovation
  • strengthening production capacity
  • creating high-quality jobs across Europe.
European Defence
Protect what matters.