The increase in defence spending has led to record levels of investment in EU defence capabilities and forces.

Omissions

• The claim is broadly accurate but generic: it does not specify the magnitude or period. The record figures refer to reference year 2025 (EDA Defence Data 2025-2026, published 16 July 2026), which was available before the session date.
• A significant share of the increased investment continues to be spent outside the EU and procurement remains fragmented across member states, a caveat the EDA itself highlights; the claim does not mention this context.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Defence Agency (EDA) — Defence Data 2025–2026Total defence investment, encompassing both defence equipment procurement and defence R&D, reached €134 billion in 2025 (Figure 9), representing a 23% real [increase]; the Member States of the European Union are increasing defence spending faster than projected (+20% since 2024), reaching €418 billion in 2025, or 2.2% of GDP.
• 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. Defence spending represented 2.2% of EU GDP in 2025 and is expected to reach 2.4% in 2026. Defence investment is forecast to account for 36% of [spending].
• PrimaryCouncil of the EU (Consilium) — EU defence in numbersIn 2025, defence investments grew at an exceptional rate, increasing by 23% compared with 2024 and reaching a record high of €134 billion. In 2025, defence expenditure rose to 2.2% of EU member states' GDP, up from 1.9% in 2024. In 2026, it is expected to reach an estimated 2.4%.