EU pours billions into maritime defence as threats to its seas persist

The EU is increasing maritime defence spending as threats to its ports, undersea cables and offshore infrastructure grow.

90 percent of EU trade, energy supplies and internet data move by sea. This exposes the bloc to hybrid and cyber attacks, border tensions and infrastructure sabotage, including from Russia.

Brussels updated its Maritime Security Strategy in March 2023 and funding followed. EU countries spent €343 billion on defence in 2024, up 19 percent year-on-year. Equipment procurement jumped 39 percent. Spending hit a record €392 billion in 2025, much of it through the €150 billion SAFE fund under the EU’s Readiness 2030 roadmap.

A large share goes to building ships. The bloc’s maritime defence industry produced €13.7 billion worth of vessels in 2025, two-thirds surface ships. France, Germany, Italy and Spain accounted for 82% of output. Shipbuilders Naval Group, Fincantieri, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Navantia cooperate on the European Patrol Corvette project while securing multi-billion-euro export deals with Norway and Indonesia.