EU Moves to Boost European Arms Industry, Reduce Reliance on US Security

The commission says the proposals could mobilize 800 billion euros for defense readiness to deter any attack from Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 19, 2025. Virginia Mayo/AP Photo

The European Union has announced a plan to reduce its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe.

On March 19, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled its “Readiness 2030” security strategy, which allows member states to exceed spending limit rules and increase defense budgets by up to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product over four years.