EU Unveils ‘Readiness 2030’ Defense Plan, Pledging Greater Military Aid to Ukraine

The European Union has officially presented the White Paper on European Defense – Readiness 2030, outlining a comprehensive strategy to strengthen European defense capabilities and address security challenges.

The initiative includes an expanded commitment to military assistance for Ukraine, with provisions for at least two million artillery shells annually, air defense systems, drones, training, and equipment for Ukrainian brigades.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of integrating Ukraine into Europe’s defense strategy.

“We have learned a great deal from Ukraine’s battlefield experience. We must be able to build defense systems not only for Ukraine but with Ukraine,” she stated.

The White Paper lays out several key objectives:

• Addressing critical defense capability gaps identified by EU member states;

• Enhancing Europe’s defense industry by increasing joint procurement and collective investment;

• Expanding military assistance to Ukraine and deepening the integration of Ukrainian and European defense industries;

• Strengthening the European defense market through regulatory simplifications;

• Accelerating defense innovation with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing;

• Improving military mobility, stockpiling essential resources, and reinforcing external borders, particularly those shared with Russia and Belarus;

• Strengthening partnerships with like-minded global allies.

Alongside this roadmap, the European Commission introduced Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—a financial instrument offering €150 billion in EU-backed loans to facilitate joint defense acquisitions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the need for increased defense spending, stating that Europe must “invest more” and ensure that “what we spend on security reflects how we value our defense.”

Additionally, the White Paper sets a new benchmark for defense spending, proposing that EU nations allocate up to 3.5% of their GDP to military expenditures.

European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius highlighted intelligence reports from Germany and Denmark indicating potential security challenges by 2030, reinforcing the urgency of the Readiness 2030 framework.

The document also emphasizes the need for large-scale defense production, the reduction of external dependencies, and the consolidation of the European defense industry as a unified strategic resource. As part of this effort, the EU aims to expand cooperation in procurement and investment while reinforcing the importance of defense as a shared European priority.

Earlier, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability for crimes committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ahead of the March 20-21 summit, a draft of the conclusions indicated that EU leaders support establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression under the Council of Europe’s framework, specifically targeting Vladimir Putin and Russia’s top leadership.