The EU is ramping up its defence readiness and investing more in defence to deal with immediate and future challenges and threats. Steps are being taken, including in the context of the existential challenge posed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In 2024, member states' defence expenditure reached €343 billion, with €106 billion spent on investments. In 2025, it will reach an estimated €381 billion.

The EU has no standing army. It relies on the assets provided by EU member states to deploy&nbsp;civilian and military missions and operations&nbsp;across the world, in the framework of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Military missions and operations benefit from&nbsp;financing under the&nbsp;European Peace Facility, an instrument that also supports the armed forces of non-EU countries through assistance measures.

Partnerships in security and defence are an indispensable pillar of the EU’s efforts to promote peace around the world. The EU cooperates closely with the UN on&nbsp;peace operations&nbsp;and crisis management while NATO remains essential for Euro-Atlantic security and stability.

European security and defence

Infoclip: EU Strategy for Security and Defence

Infoclip: Women in defence, peacekeeping and peace advocacy

Voting session

LEX Signing Ceremony in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Timmy DOOLEY, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Press conference on the ongoing trilogue on the military mobility

Press conference by Michal SZCZERBA (EPP, PL) and Roberts ZĪLE (ECR, LV) on the ongoing trialogue on the military mobility

Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security: extracts from the debate

Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security: closing statement by Kaja KALLAS

Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security: MEPs debate (part 2)

Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security: MEPs debate (part 1)

Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security: One round of political group speakers

EPRS Policy Podcast - European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA)

Lex signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Plenary debate on the escalation of Russian strikes in the EU

Joint debate - Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States

Plenary debate on recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta

Drone incursions into Romania, Baltic states and Finland

EU’s response to reduced US military deployment in Europe

EP President, Roberta METSOLA participates in the Munich Security Conference

SEDE/AFET/DNAT Joint meeting - Exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Mark RUTTE

AFET Exchange of views with EU High Representative Kaja KALLAS

EP Plenary debate on the continuous violations of EU airspace

EP Plenary debate on the European Defence Industry Programme

EP Plenary debate on Russian violations of EU airspace and critical infrastructure

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

Debate on the EU summits and on the urgent need to bolster Europe’s security architecture

Special European Council

EP Plenary session October part II 2026 - Voting session

EU joint defence procurement

Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security: opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Voting session (part 1)

Voting session (part 4)

State of the European Union debate 2026 - #SOTEU2026: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the EC, on Security and defence

State of the European Union debate 2026 - #SOTEU2026: statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the EC (full version)

Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States: extracts from the debate

Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States: closing statement by Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (EPP, LT), Rapporteur

Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States: MEPs debate (part 2), and reply from Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States: MEPs debate (part 1)

Hybrid attacks against the EU Member States: opening statements by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC, and Rasa JUKNEVIČIENĖ (EPP, LT), Rapporteur

The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect EU’s external borders: extracts from the debate

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