European Commission proposes major strategy to boost Europe’s military power

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled a comprehensive plan to bolster Europe's defence industry, aimed at enhancing the continent’s military capabilities.

Addressing  a press conference on March 4, von der Leyen outlined a strategy to "rearm Europe," potentially mobilizing close to €800 billion ($841.4 billion) to create a safer and more resilient Europe, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

We are living in dangerous times.

Europe‘s security is threatened in a very real way.

Today I present ReArm Europe.

A plan for a safer and more resilient Europe ↓ https://t.co/CYTytB5ZMk

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 4, 2025

The plan comes in the wake of a recent London summit, where European leaders convened to discuss Ukraine and broader defence issues. Von der Leyen emphasized that the initiative is essential for strengthening Europe’s defence infrastructure, particularly in light of ongoing security challenges.

As part of the proposal, the European Commission plans to raise €150 billion in loans to support the production of air defence systems for EU member states and to supply weapons to Ukraine. This move is seen as a key step toward ensuring Europe’s long-term security and addressing the current military shortages exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Additionally, European officials have reportedly been in discussions regarding the creation of a European rearmament bank and a common fund for pan-European defence financing. These conversations, which were highlighted by the Financial Times in late February, have involved finance ministers from across the EU, who gathered at the G20 summit in Johannesburg to explore the possibility of creating such a bank, potentially with the involvement of the UK.

Earlier statements from NATO had warned of a critical ammunition shortage in Europe, further underscoring the urgency of von der Leyen’s plan to address the continent’s defence needs. The European Commission’s proposal marks a significant step toward modernizing Europe’s military infrastructure in the face of evolving security threats.

By Vafa Guliyeva