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European common defence: 2030 Ready

Posted by Europe correspondent on

Brussels 22.10.2025 The EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, European defence, recent developments in the Middle East, competitiveness, housing and migration.

Building on previous European Council meetings, starting from the informal Egmont retreat on 3 February and the most recent informal meeting on 1 October in Copenhagen, the leaders will discuss the EU’s defence readiness and concrete decisions on capability projects and governance.

Hybrid attacks and drone sightings near our critical infrastructures and hostile incursions in Member States’ airspace are another demonstration of the urgency of accelerating work to achieve European common defence readiness by 2030.

President Costa, 13 October

In a rapidly changing geopolitical security context, the EU has taken decisive action to strengthen its defence readiness and increase spending, including through the ReArm Europe Plan/Defence Readiness 2030 and the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. In 2024, the EU’s total defence expenditure reached €343 billion, an increase of 19% compared to 2023 and a 37% increase from 2021.

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This militarised Russia poses a persistent threat to European security for the foreseeable future, reads the JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL, issued on October 16, 2025.

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What Europe and its Member States do for the rest of this decade will shape the security
of the continent for the whole century. By 2030, Europe needs a sufficiently strong
European defence posture to credibly deter its adversaries and respond to any aggression.
To be “2030 ready”, Europe needs to move now. This is why, at the June European
Council, EU Heads of State or Government invited the Commission and the High
Representative “to present a roadmap” “to review progress [on the White Paper] at its
October 2025 meeting and discuss the next steps in the implementation of its defence
readiness objective” the Communication continues.

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This Roadmap translates the White Paper and the guidance provided by the European
Council into clear objectives, milestones with concrete dates for deliverables, and
indicators to track progress. It proposes European flagship where urgency is greatest, to
focus efforts, in accordance with international commitments, including NATO targets.
Defence readiness entails developing and acquiring the capabilities that are needed for
modern warfare. It means ensuring that Europe has a defence industrial base that gives it
a strategic advantage and the independence needed. And it means being ready to deliver
cutting-edge innovation and fast, mass production at critical times.

The need to speed up and ramp up efforts reflects the increasing dangers of today, as well
as the evolving threat landscape which Europe and its Member States must contend with,
adapt to, and prepare for. This starts with Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale military
aggression against Ukraine, which is reaching new heights of brutality and violence.

Reckless provocations and acts of hybrid warfare against Member States, from cyberattacks to violation of air space are increasing. Russia has militarised its economy and
society. In 2025, its declared defence budget will surpass 7% of GDP. Around 40% of its
budget in 2025 is for security and defence.

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