EU defence expenditure reached EUR 418 billion in 2025.

Omissions

• The EDA Defence Data 2025-2026 report was published on 16 July 2026, after the earlier EPRS estimate of around EUR 381 billion (2.1% of GDP) for 2025 issued in March 2026; the figure was revised upward to EUR 418 billion in the EDA's final data. The MEP's figure matches the latest official EDA figure.
• The figure is an aggregate of the 27 Member States' defence expenditure and includes a 20% year-on-year increase; the claim does not mention the projected rise to EUR 454 billion in 2026, though the speaker's broader statement ('projected to rise further') is consistent with the EDA projection.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Defence Agency (EDA) — EU defence spending: €418 billion in 2025, projected to €454 billion in 2026Defence spending by the EU's 27 Member States reached €418 billion in 2025, a 20% increase compared to 2024, according to the European Defence Agency's Defence Data 2025-2026.
• PrimaryCouncil of the European Union — EU defence in numbersIn 2025, member states' defence expenditure reached €418 billion, rising for the 11th consecutive year. In 2026, it is expected to reach an estimated €454 billion.