Together with the Transnational Institute and the European Network Against Arms Trade, Stop Wapenhandel is publishing two factsheets about EU military spending.
Factsheet 1 – EU Military Spending until 2027: From ‘Peace Project’ to Arms Investor
Since 2017, the EU has rapidly expanded its military role, built up new institutional infrastructure, and increased its support for the arms industry. The current seven-year EU-budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021–27, is the first to include significant military spending. The EU’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has accelerated and broadened European militarisation, including the introduction of several ad-hoc and temporary funding instruments.
Read the factsheet EU Military Spending until 2027
Factsheet 2 – Military and related spending in the MFF 2028–34 proposal
‘Support to defence is one of the priorities of this MFF proposal’, writes the European Commission in its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-34. Compared to previous budgets, this MFF foresees a significant shift of tax payer money from civilian to military purposes. As things stand, ‘the defence and space window of the European Competitiveness Fund will allocate €131 billion to support investment in defence, security and space, five times more funding at EU level compared to the previous MFF.’
Read the factsheet Military and related spending in the MFF 2028–34 proposal