EU countries have been given five years to prepare for war under a new Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, a strategy that underscores Europe’s growing focus on military self-reliance.
According to politico.eu, the plan will be presented by the European Commission this week and discussed by defence ministers before going to EU leaders. It calls for a “sufficiently strong European defence posture” by 2030 to deter adversaries and respond to any aggression, describing Russia as a “persistent threat” to European security for the foreseeable future.
The roadmap is part of the EU’s wider response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty about U.S. commitment to European defence under Donald Trump. While member states have increased military spending, the document warns that efforts remain largely fragmented, leading to higher costs and weak interoperability. To address this, the Commission is urging governments to purchase weapons collectively and to reduce dependence on non-European suppliers.
It sets ambitious targets: by 2027, at least 40% of defence procurement should be carried out through joint contracts, rising to 60% of weapons purchases from EU and Ukrainian companies by 2030. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s capacity to act independently in matters of defence and security.
