EU defence spending projected to reach €381B in 2025

EU defense spending is projected to reach €381 billion in 2025, according to the European Defence Agency's (EDA) annual Defence Data, Report informs.

In 2024, defence expenditure by the 27 EU Member States reached an unprecedented €343 billion - a 19% rise on 2023 - bringing spending to 1.9% of GDP, the EDA said. "The increase, driven largely by record levels of equipment procurement and rising investment in research and development, reflects Member States' determination to strengthen Europe's military capabilities in response to the evolving security environment," it said.

According to the data, bloc's spending is seen at 2.1% of GDP in 2025, exceeding the previous NATO 2% target for the first time since EDA records began.