European Commission head calls for urgent action to bolster EU defence ahead of 2030

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the need for the European Union to adopt a robust defence stance by 2030, urging the bloc to begin taking decisive actions now to ensure its preparedness for the future.

Speaking to the press, von der Leyen stated, “By 2030, Europe must have a strong European defence posture. But to be “2030 ready”, we need to move now.” Her comments highlight the growing urgency for the EU to strengthen its security and defence capabilities in response to emerging global threats, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Von der Leyen confirmed that she would unveil a comprehensive strategy for European defence on March 19, aimed at outlining the necessary steps to enhance the EU's military and strategic readiness over the next decade.

Von der Leyen stressed that boosting defence spending must be the top priority for the European Union as it seeks to strengthen its military capabilities.

Von der Leyen highlighted the positive trend of increased defence spending by EU member states, which has risen by more than 31 per cent since 2021. However, she emphasized that this increase, while an improvement, is still insufficient compared to the defence budgets of global powers like the United States, Russia, and China. “That is better – but not enough. Still far lower than that of the US, Russia, and China,” she noted.

The European Commission President outlined that rebuilding Europe's defence capabilities would require sustained and substantial investment from both public and private sectors. To support this goal, von der Leyen unveiled a new plan to unlock €800 billion in investments for European defence, aimed at significantly improving the continent's military readiness.

One key component of the plan is the introduction of the new SAFE (Strengthening European Defence) instrument, which is designed to rapidly unlock €150 billion in funding for EU member states. This initiative is expected to help streamline the procurement process, enabling the EU to "buy better, buy faster, and buy more European," and to promote joint procurement efforts among member nations.

By Vafa Guliyeva