New record of military spending in the EU expected in 2025
Brussels – Defense spending in the EU in 2025 will rise to 381 billion euros, a new record, following last year’s figure (343 billion), according to the latest figures published Tuesday by the European Defence Agency (EDA).
“ Europe is spending record amounts on its defense to ensure the security of our citizens, and we will not stop there ,” said the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas, who chairs the EDA.
This year, nearly 130 billion euros have been allocated to investments such as new armaments. European countries have significantly increased their military spending after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the invasion of Ukraine launched by the Kremlin in February 2022.
NATO countries, of which 23 EU states are also members, have also decided to further increase their efforts, dedicating at least 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to their security over the next ten years, including 3.5% for strictly military spending. (August 2, 2025)
