The rise of military spending in Europe : A new strategic priority

In recent years, the issue of security has once again become a major priority in Europe. In the face of growing threats, European countries have reassessed their defense strategies, leading to a significant increase in military spending. This trend has been particularly pronounced since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, revealing strategic vulnerabilities and prompting increased investment. 

The current geopolitical context has highlighted the need for increased cooperation among the European Union member states. In this context, the European Commission presented an ambitious plan in March 2025 entitled “Rearm Europe”, along with a White Paper on Defence Investment. The latter proposes a series of concrete measures to strengthen the European defence industrial and technological base, notably including the creation of a European Defence Industry Fund and the potential mobilisation of €100 billion at the Union level.  

In addition, the increase in military spending poses challenges in terms of production and logistics. The European defence industry now needs to expand its production capacity in order to meet the growing demand. The adoption of a “just-in-case” model, which favours the strategic storage of materials and equipment, is envisaged to compensate for the shortcomings of the “just-in-time” system, which is considered insufficient in the event of a crisis. 

Some European countries have taken ambitious steps to modernize their militaries. France has earmarked a budget of €413 billion between 2024 and 2030 to strengthen its armed forces and cybersecurity, while Germany has released a special fund of €100 billion to meet NATO’s demands. Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain are following a similar trajectory by significantly increasing their defence budgets. 

In conclusion, the growth in military spending in Europe responds to an imperative need for security and stability in the face of an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. This trend reflects a strong political will to strengthen European defence capabilities, both nationally and collectively, in order to ensure the sovereignty and protection of the continent in the face of current and future threats.