ru.euronews.com
EU Military Spending Reaches Record High of €343 Billion
New data from the European Defence Agency (EDA) reveals that EU defense spending hit a record high of €343 billion in 2024, a 19% increase from 2023, with the largest portion (€88 billion) allocated to military equipment.
- Which EU members meet the NATO target of 3.5% of GDP on defense spending?
- Poland leads with 3.8% of GDP, followed by Estonia (3.3%), Latvia (3.3%), and Lithuania (3.1%). Ireland, conversely, spends only 0.2% of its GDP on defense.
- How does EU military spending compare to that of the US, Russia, and China?
- The US spent €845 billion (nearly triple the EU's €343 billion), while Russia spent €107 billion and China €250 billion. Although the EU collectively possesses more tanks, artillery, and infantry fighting vehicles, its capabilities are fragmented, hindering efficiency compared to Russia and China, who benefit from lower internal prices and integrated planning.
- What challenges remain for the EU to enhance its defense capabilities, and what initiatives are in place to address them?
- The EU needs to address personnel shortages to operate its equipment effectively and increase cooperation among member states for better resource allocation and interoperability. The Commission's Readiness 2030 initiative aims to create €800 billion in fiscal space over four years to further boost defense spending.
Cognitive Concepts
Bias by Omission
While the article provides a comprehensive overview of EU defense spending, it could benefit from including analysis on the potential impact of increased military spending on social programs or economic development. Additionally, it omits discussion of potential diplomatic efforts to reduce conflict and reliance on military solutions. The article also does not discuss the potential for corruption in military procurement or the potential waste of resources.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses increased military spending by EU countries, aiming to enhance their collective security and defense capabilities. This directly relates to SDG 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, as it addresses the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.