EU defence investments reached 130 billion euros, but only 18% is procured jointly.

Omissions

• The €130 billion figure is a projection for 2025, not a confirmed final figure. The MEP used the past tense 'reached', implying confirmed data, whereas official sources describe it as 'projected to reach nearly €130 billion'.
• The 18% joint procurement figure comes from the 2022 CARD report, which covers the 2019-2020 period — data that is 5-7 years old relative to the speech date (May 2026). The MEP presents it as if it reflects the current state of joint procurement.
• The two figures are drawn from different time periods and different EDA data cycles. Linking them implies a causal or contemporaneous relationship that is not supported: the 18% collaborative rate from 2019-2020 is applied to a 2025 investment projection, creating a misleading impression of the absolute value of non-collaborative spending.
• The claim does not distinguish between 'defence investment' (equipment procurement and R&D) and total 'defence expenditure' (which includes personnel and operations). Total EU defence expenditure in 2024 was €343 billion — much larger than the €130 billion investment component.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Defence Agency — Defence Data 2024-2025The trend is projected to continue in 2025, bringing defence investment spending closer to €130 billion.
• PrimaryEDA — 2022 Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) ReportMember States implement their plans to a large extent nationally, with only 18% of all investment in defence programmes conducted in cooperation.
• PrimaryCouncil of the EU — EU defence in numbersThe data indicates that the rising trend will continue in 2025, when defence investment is projected to reach nearly €130 billion.
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament Think Tank — EU joint defence procurementThe 2022 coordinated annual review on defence reported that only 18% of defence investment took place collaboratively, far below agreed targets.