EU plans to boost military spending by €2 trillion by 2031

The European Union intends to increase its military expenditure by €2 trillion by 2031, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced at a forum in Brussels.

Speaking to delegates, Kallas described herself as highly determined and pledged to continue pushing for the EU’s accelerated militarisation, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

She said she would encourage member states to further raise defence spending.

In 2024, the European Union marked a historic shift in its defence strategy, with member states collectively spending €343 billion on defence, a 19% increase from the previous year, according to the European Defence Agency. 

This surge, equating to 1.9% of the EU’s GDP, reflects growing concerns over geopolitical instability, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has been a driving force behind this push, advocating for accelerated militarisation at a recent Brussels forum.

She urged member states to surpass current spending levels, potentially aligning with NATO’s ambitious 3.5% GDP target by 2030. The European Commission’s ReArm Europe initiative, launched in March 2025, aims to mobilise €800 billion over four years, including €150 billion in loans to bolster European defence industries.

Kallas emphasised reducing reliance on non-EU suppliers, with a goal for 50% of procurement budgets to support EU-based firms by 2030.

Despite these ambitions, challenges persist, including disagreements over joint debt financing and uneven budget growth among member states. Kallas’s push for €40 billion in aid to Ukraine faced resistance, with a scaled-back €5 billion plan now under discussion.

Looking ahead, defence spending is projected to hit €381 billion in 2025, focusing on air defense, drones, and cyber capabilities. Achieving a potential €2 trillion target by 2031 will demand sustained political unity.

By Aghakazim Guliyev