Overview
- EU leaders endorsed the Commission-drafted plan and instructed national governments to start concrete projects in the first half of 2026 using EU funds.
- The first wave centers on anti-drone and air-defense capabilities, including a European Drone Defense Initiative and an Eastern Flank Watch for land, sea, air, and hybrid threats.
- Milestones include at least 40% of defense procurement done jointly by late 2027, critical capability contracts settled by end-2028, and full implementation by 2030.
- Additional flagships—European Air Shield and European Space Shield—are slated to launch in the second quarter of 2026, with Air Shield designed for NATO-interoperable, layered air and missile defense.
- The Commission cites roughly €392 billion in EU defense spending this year, projects about €3.4 trillion over the next decade, and plans to propose €131 billion for defense and space in the next long-term budget, with Ukraine’s security guarantees and industry integration highlighted.