European Union (EU) countries have five years to prepare for war, according to a military plan that the European Commission (EC) is set to present today, and which the Politiko portal has had access to.
"By 2030, Europe needs a sufficiently strong European defense system to credibly deter its adversaries, as well as respond to any aggression," the draft plan states.
The plan was due to be considered by defence ministers late last night before being presented to the College of Commissioners today.
The plan will be sent to EU leaders next week.
The 2030 Defense Readiness Plan is a sign of the EU's growing role in military affairs, a reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's unclear commitment to European security, according to the Brussels portal.
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"A militarized Russia poses a continuing threat to European security for the foreseeable future," the document, first reported by Bloomberg, said.
Although EU countries are rapidly increasing their defense budgets, much of that spending "remains predominantly national, leading to fragmentation, cost inflation and a lack of interoperability," the 16-page document said.
The EU's executive body is encouraging member states to buy weapons together and wants at least 40 percent of defense equipment purchases to be joint contracts by the end of 2027.
The roadmap also sets targets for at least 55 percent of arms purchases to be from companies in the EU and Ukraine by 2028 and at least 60 percent by 2030.
Setting priorities
The document details a series of priorities, according to Politiko.
One of the main goals is to fill the EU's capability gaps in nine areas: air and missile defense, operational support, military mobility, artillery systems, artificial intelligence and cyber, missiles and ammunition, drones and counter-drones, land combat, and maritime defense. The plan also mentions areas such as defense readiness and the role of Ukraine, which would be heavily armed and supported to become an "iron porcupine" capable of deterring Russian aggression.
The plan also includes timelines for three key projects:
Eastern Flank Watch – integration of ground, air and anti-drone defense systems;
European Air Shield – creation of a multi-layered air defense system;
Defence Space Shield – protection of EU space capabilities.
The Commission hopes that EU leaders will approve these three projects by the end of the year.
To be ready by 2030, according to the draft, projects in all priority areas should be launched in the first half of 2026. By the end of 2028, projects, contracts and financing for the most urgent needs should be concluded.
The commission also wants to map the industrial capacity needed to fill the gaps, and to identify risks and bottlenecks in the supply chains of key raw materials — which could cause controversy, as European industry has traditionally been reluctant to share production data with Brussels.
Financing
The document states that the EU will help mobilize up to €800 billion for defense, including the SAFE program (€150 billion in arms loans), the €1,5 billion European Defense Industrial Program (still under negotiation), the European Defense Fund, as well as the new multiannual EU budget to be adopted in 2027.
It emphasizes that member states will retain control: "Member states are and will remain sovereign over their national defense." Despite this careful wording, some members resent the expansion of the EU's role in defense — traditionally the domain of national governments.
"The main goal must be to create the conditions for member states to meet their national and international capacity goals," Germany stated in its official contribution to the Readiness 2030 Roadmap.
Sweden stated in its comment that "indicators must be results-oriented and measure concrete effects," rather than the extent to which countries use certain mechanisms, such as joint procurement.
The military plan, which has been in preparation since the summer, attempts to encompass the concerns of all members, not just those that feel most threatened by Russia. In a concession to southern European countries like Italy and Spain, it states that "Europe cannot afford to be blind to threats coming from other parts of the world," mentioning the Middle East and Africa.
The draft specifically emphasizes that the EU will work closely with NATO. There are concerns in the Alliance and some capitals that Brussels could establish a parallel defense structure that would complicate plans, rather than fit into NATO.
The goal is for the EU to become more independent in a much more dangerous world.
"Authoritarian states are increasingly trying to interfere in our societies and economies. Traditional allies and partners are also shifting their focus to other regions of the world... Europe's defense posture and capabilities must be ready for the battlefields of tomorrow," the draft states.
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