Georgia Tramacere· S&D

Confirmed

The fragmentation of our defence costs us every year between 18 and 57 billion euros

Omissions

• The figure comes from an EPRS study published in 2024. While accurate, the claim omits that these are estimated potential savings from enhanced cooperation rather than a direct cash cost.
• The original EPRS study frames this as the 'cost of non-Europe' - the opportunity cost of failing to act together, not necessarily a direct budgetary expenditure.
• The study notes that EU action to boost efficiency and quality of defence spending could generate these savings.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) - 'Improving the quality of European defence spending: Cost of non-Europe report'The cost of non-Europe in defence spending is estimated to range from €18 to €57 billion per year
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament Think Tank (epthinktank.eu)The cost of non-Europe in defence spending is estimated to range from €17 to €58 billion per year (slightly updated figures)