European defence spending sets a new record surpassing €200 billion
EDA countries have been joining efforts to improve their inventory. (Photo: Lithuanian Armed Forces)
The European Defence Agency’s (EDA) annual Defence Data report for 2020-2021, released on 8 December, showed that the defence spending in the region set a record last year, reaching €214 billion ($226 billion).
Even so, EDA member states are expected to raise their military budgets even more in the coming years.
The EDA report stated that the defence expenditure resisted the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and ‘member States’ announcements following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine signal that the increase in spending is likely to continue in the years ahead.
During the EDA Annual Conference 2022: Investing in
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
-
UK’s latest defence robotics and autonomy competition looks to break new ground
The UK Ministry of Defence is backing early-stage, high-risk autonomy concepts that could redefine how military systems are developed and deployed.
-
How AI is reshaping defence procurement through sustainment
Artificial intelligence is not just changing how defence equipment is maintained but how defence programmes are won, creating new opportunities for industry by influencing acquisition decisions and shaping competition.