EU Commission and the High Representative have introduced a White Paper on European Defence – Readiness 2030 along with an ambitious defence package, offering financial tools to support EU Member States in boosting investments in defence capabilities.
These measures aim to respond to the short-term urgency of supporting Ukraine, but also to address the pressing long-term need to boost Europe's security and defence.
"We must invest in defence, strengthen our capabilities, and take a proactive approach to security. We are taking decisive action, presenting a roadmap for 'Readiness 2030', with increased defence spending, important investments in European defence industrial capabilities. We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defence equipment,” - stated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
As announced by President von der Leyen, the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 enables spending of over €800 billion.
The proposed financing mechanisms for the required investments in defence and the opportunities for the partner countries arising therefrom:
The first one – National Escape clause – will free up to EUR 650 billion of fiscal space in the national budgets of the EU member states. It will have no conditions attached in terms of origin of the defence equipment. Military equipment from partner countries can therefore directly benefit from it.
The second one – “SAFE”, a new instrument for Security Action for Europe – SAFE, a scheme to support joint procurement from the European defence industry with up to €150 billion in loans to Member States backed by the EU budget.
Norway and Iceland can already directly participate, since they are members of the EU's single market. Other countries, such as the UK, Canada or Türkiye, can immediately provide up to 35% of a defence product. To increase the industrial participation beyond 35%, a Security & Defence Partnership and a subsequent association agreement are necessary.
President von der Leyen also made a reference to the EU's continued support to Ukraine in the context of Readiness 2030: “Because Ukraine's security is also the European Union's security, Ukraine and its amazing defence industry will be able to participate in the joint procurement in SAFE.”
The ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 also relies on the European Investment Bank Group to widen the scope of its lending to defence and security projects, while safeguarding its financing capacity.
White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030
The White Paper presents solutions to close critical capability gaps and build a strong defence industrial base. It proposes ways for Member States to massively invest in defence, procure defence systems and build up the readiness of the European defence industry over the long run.
Europe must invest in the security and defence of the continent, while continuing to support Ukraine to defend itself from Russia's aggression. To effectively address these challenges, the White Paper outlines a number of key lines of action:
- Closing capability gaps, with a focus on critical capabilities identified by Member States.
- Supporting the European defence industry through aggregated demand and increased collaborative procurement.
- Supporting Ukraine through increased military assistance and deeper integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries.
- Deepening the EU-wide defence market including through simplifying regulations.
- Accelerating the transformation of defence through disruptive innovations such as AI and quantum technology.
- Enhancing European readiness for worst-case scenarios, by improving military mobility, stockpiling and strengthening external borders, notably the land border with Russia and Belarus.
- Strengthening partnership with like-minded countries around the world.
ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flig...
Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister for Counter-Narcotics has urged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to expand support for legal livel...
Turkish and Armenian leaders reiterated their commitment to normalising relations during a phone call on Tuesday, discussing plans to deepen cooperati...
Environmental ministers and senior officials from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered in Samarkand for the 6th ECO M...
The United Kingdom has begun using SpaceX's Starshield satellite network for military operations, according to people familiar with the matter, markin...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 28 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she discussed Ukraine’s path to European Union membership with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Brussels signals key weeks ahead for accession talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed Türkiye-EU relations and rising Middle East tensions during a phone call on Tuesday.
European leaders gathered in Yerevan on 4–5 May for the European Political Community (EPC) summit and the first EU–Armenia summit, placing the South Caucasus and its fragile peace process at the centre of regional diplomacy.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain, power cuts and transport disruption across Japan on Wednesday (3 June) as it tracked towards the greater Tokyo region.
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton, UK, home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as anger continued to grow over the handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
An Iranian drone and missile attack struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, injuring several people, damaging Terminal 1 and forcing flight diversions, Kuwaiti authorities said.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.
Environmental ministers and senior officials from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) gathered in Samarkand for the 6th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Environment, the first such meeting in 12 years.
The United Kingdom has begun using SpaceX's Starshield satellite network for military operations, according to people familiar with the matter, marking one of the first known deployments of the secure government-focused system outside the U.S.
A series of military drones entering the airspace of Finland and the Baltic states has heightened concerns that the war in Ukraine is increasingly affecting NATO’s northern flank. The incidents have triggered security alerts, air defence responses and political fallout across the region.
Protesters chanted “I can’t breathe” and threw bins at police in Southampton on Tuesday (2 June) after footage emerged showing murdered teenager Henry Nowak being arrested as he lay dying from a stab wound.
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Albania in recent days to protest against a luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and his wife Ivanka Trump.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment