In-person event

How to finance the future of EU defence?

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Hours
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Economic and monetary affairs

When
Wednesday
Where
CEPS
Place du Congrès 1, Brussels, Belgium

This in-person event is free and open to the public but registration is mandatory.

In-person event

How to finance the future of EU defence?

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Registrations closed due to full capacity

Please note that this event is in-person only, with the exception of CEPS Members who may request a link to follow virtually.

Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising global instability have fundamentally reshaped Europe’s security landscape. In response, the EU has launched the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) to shift from crisis-driven actions to long-term defence readiness. However, turning this ambition into reality will require bold investment and innovative financial strategies.

To guide this transformation, the White Paper on European Defence – Readiness 2030 sets out a strategy to strengthen the EU’s defence industry, enhance operational readiness, and reinforce security. This White Paper puts forward the ReArm Europe Plan, which introduces several financial instruments to scale up investment in defence. These include the Security and Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, to leverage on new common debt (up to 150 billion EUR); the coordinated activation of the national escape clause to mobilise up to 650 billion EUR in additional defence spending; as well as more effective use of existing EU funding resources and the mobilisation of private capital, to promote further investment in the sector.

Against this background, the policy workshop will discuss how these initiatives can help bridge the estimated funding gap of 500 to 800 billion EUR until 2030. Speakers from public institutions, industry and think tanks will explore key questions around financing Europe’s defence transformation, including:

• How to mobilise and finance public investment effectively?

• What does the defence sector need?

• How to unlock private capital for a stronger European defence ecosystem?

• What are the broader macroeconomic implications of recent defence initiatives?

 

The event will be followed by a networking reception from 18:10-19:00

In cooperation with

Host
Cinzia Alcidi Cinzia Alcidi
Cinzia Alcidi

Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Economic Policy and Jobs & Skills Unit

Speakers list
Davide Cucino

Senior Vice President, European Affairs, Fincantieri

Daniel Gros

Director of the Institute for European Policymaking, Bocconi University

Sophie Barbier

Director, European affairs Division, Caisse des Dépôts

Oliver Cusworth

Senior Policy Officer, EIB Security and Defence Office, European Investment Bank

Martina Colombo (concluding remarks)

Head of European Affairs, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP)

Guillaume de La Brosse (keynote)

Head of Unit, Defence Policy and Innovation, European Commission