Defense Funding in the EU

In an opinion adopted by the ECO section, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) provided key recommendations on enhancing EU defence funding to address evolving security challenges. The opinion underscores the need for strategic investments in defence capabilities, stronger collaboration with NATO, and a more resilient European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to safeguard peace, security, and economic stability in the EU.

 

 

 

Key points

In the opinion, the EESC

  • underscores the urgent need for a unified and robust EU defence funding mechanism to address geopolitical challenges, particularly the Russian aggression against Ukraine;
  • stresses the necessity of aligning EU defence policy with NATO strategies to ensure complementarity and interoperability in security operations;
  • calls for enhanced joint procurement mechanisms, including the European Peace Facility (EPF), to optimise resource efficiency and operational readiness;
  • emphasises the importance of strengthening the EDTIB to reduce reliance on external suppliers and foster innovation within the EU;
  • advocates for prioritising defence funding for EU countries on the external borders most impacted by regional conflicts, ensuring strict adherence to the ‘no first strike’ principle;
  • supports the integration of defence funding into the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to ensure sustained and strategic investments in security;
  • highlights the importance of public-private partnerships and collaboration with third countries in advancing Europe’s cyber and space security capabilities.

Additional information

EESC Section: Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)

Opinion Type: Exploratory opinion (at the request of the Polish Presidency)

Rapporteur: Marcin NOWACKI

Reference: ECO/655-EESC-2024

Date of adoption by section: 6/2/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 26-27/2/2025

Contact

Thomas Kersten

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 (0) 2 546 8931

Email: thomas.kersten@eesc.europa.eu

Gerald Klec

Policy Officer

Tel.: +3225469909

Email: eco@eesc.europa.eu

Related content

Adopted on 26/02/2025 - Bureau decision date: 17/09/2024

Defence funding in the EU

Reference
ECO/655-EESC-2024
Rapporteur
Marcin NOWACKI
Employers - GR I
Poland
Plenary session number
594
-

In view of Europe's current security challenges, in particular with the armed conflict caused by Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, defence funding places a significant burden on the budgets of many EU Member States, worsening their fiscal position. 

At the same time, the resources that Member States are currently able to allocate to the development of defence capabilities still seem to be insufficient. 

As Europe needs to develop defence capabilities in a more integrated way, there is a need to significantly increase investment in European defence infrastructure and technological innovation to improve preparedness to respond to threats. 

Download — EESC opinion: Defence funding in the EU
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  • Record of proceedings ECO/655