Europe's Big Defence Upgrade for 2025

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the 2025 annual report of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It stresses that 81 % of EU citizens support a common security and defence policy and 69 % back stronger defence equipment. The EU’s defence budget is set to reach a record €381 billion by the end of 2025, up more than 10 % from 2024 (€106 billion) and close to €130 billion in 2025. NATO’s target is 5 % of GDP for defence, with at least 3.5 % for core defence; this would require about €630 billion per year.

The resolution calls for a “European Defence Union” that can act independently under Article 42(2) and (7) of the Treaty. It urges the EU to close the “deterrence gap” by improving military doctrine, command and control, interoperability, industrial capacity and innovation. Key priorities include air and missile defence, artillery, ammunition, drones and counter‑drones, cyber‑warfare, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and protection of critical infrastructure. The European Defence Fund (EDF) and the new SAFE loan facility (€150 billion) are to be used to boost joint procurement and industrial cooperation. The EDF’s budget of €175 million for 2024‑27 is deemed too small; the European Investment Bank is asked to increase it.

The EU must counter hybrid threats from Russia, China, Iran, Belarus and North Korea. These include cyber‑attacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure, economic pressure, migration manipulation, political influence and disinformation. The Parliament demands stronger sanctions, better intelligence sharing, and a coordinated response to Russian violations of EU airspace and maritime zones. It also calls for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine based on frozen Russian assets, and welcomes a €90 billion EU‑backed loan package for Ukraine.

The resolution supports the EU’s ongoing CSDP missions: 12 civilian missions, 8 military operations and 1 civilian‑military mission with about 4 000 personnel on three continents. It stresses the importance of EU‑NATO cooperation, the need for a permanent EU command‑and‑control headquarters, and the expansion of the European Rapid Deployment Capacity. It also calls for stronger partnerships with Canada, the UK, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Ukraine and other like‑minded states, and for deeper cooperation with Taiwan, the Indo‑Pacific and the Arctic.

The Parliament highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to civil‑military preparedness, including whole‑society exercises, protection of critical infrastructure, cyber‑security, counter‑disinformation and resilience to hybrid attacks. It urges the EU to strengthen its industrial base, reduce dependence on non‑EU suppliers, and create a single market for defence. Parliamentary oversight of defence spending and policy is to be increased, with a special committee on the European Defence Security (EUDS).

In short, the resolution calls for a stronger, more autonomous EU defence system, higher spending, better industrial and technological capacity, tighter cooperation with NATO and partners, robust sanctions and support for Ukraine, and a comprehensive strategy to counter hybrid threats and protect critical infrastructure.