The Roadmap sets out clear objectives and milestones to achieve defence readiness by 2030, as outlined in the White Paper for European Defence. Among its key proposals are four flagship projects: the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Drone Defence Initiative, the European Air Shield, and the European Space Shield.
Closing Europe’s capability gaps by 2030
Objectives
It is proposed that Member States should collectively fill capability shortfalls by 2030. In addition, the share of joint procurement should converge towards the agreed 35% target and defence investment procured from the EDTIB should reach the political target of at least 55% of the total investment.
Milestones
- Set up Capability Coalitions in all priority areas, decide on lead and co-lead nations, and on respective implementation plans until 2030 – by Q1 2026
- Collect initial data on EU’s defence industrial capacity in the priority capability areas, supported by the Commission as appropriate – by mid-2026
- Launch projects in all priority areas within the first half of 2026
- Organise at least 40% of defence procurement as joint procurement – by end 2027
- Ensure that projects, contracts and financing are in place to close critical capability shortfalls in the prioritised areas – by end 2028
- Receive all SAFE-funded procurements, contributing to close all capability shortfalls in the prioritised areas – by end 2030
Indicators
It is proposed that the Annual Defence Readiness Report monitors the evolution of collective EU Military shortfalls per priority capability area (compared to previous year) and the number of projects launched and capabilities procured per priority area, based on information provided by the EUMS and EDA.
Launching European Readiness Flagships
Objectives
It is proposed to aim to establish a comprehensive European border defence capability with multi-domain surveillance systems, drone and counter-drone capabilities, electronic warfare capabilities, precision strike systems, and responsive operational coordination. All in close cooperation with NATO and complementary with its regional plans for territorial defence. An Eastern Flank Watch should be developed in all the Member States along the EU’s Eastern border, including taking into account the land and sea border with Russia and Belarus, to contribute to ramp up European defence.
Milestones
- EUCO to endorse the European Drone Defence Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch as priority flagships - by end 2025
- European Drone Defence Initiative and Eastern Flank Watch launched – Q1 2026
- First EDIP calls for production scaling and support to common procurement. First prefinancing payments in the SAFE framework for the projects part of the Flagships – Q1 2026
- European Drone Defence Initiative and Eastern Flank Watch initial capacity – by end 2026
- European Drone Defence Initiative fully functional – by end 2027
- Eastern Flank Watch functional – by end 2028
Objective
It is proposed to create a European Air Shield to cover the entire Air and Missile Defence spectrum that is fully interoperable with NATO Command and control system and doctrine.
Milestones
- EUCO to endorse the European Air Shield as a priority flagship – by end 2025
- European Air Shield launched - Q2 2026
- EDF and EDIP work programmes to prioritise Air and Missile Defence related actions – by end 2026
Objective
It is proposed to set up and protect a comprehensive European system of space capabilities that serve defence purposes, building on the EU space systems and existing national capacities.
Milestones
- EUCO to endorse the European Space Shield as a priority flagship – by end 2025.
- Prioritise related actions in Space, IRIS², EDF and EDIP work programmes in a coordinated approach and work with Member States to support coordination of their procurement plans (SAFE) – as of 2026
- Launch the European Space Shield – Q2 2026
The defence industrial dimension
Objectives
It is proposed to ensure that by 2030 the EDTIB can deliver the capabilities that Member States need at the necessary scale and speed. Production lines should be substantially increased and delivery times for critical defence materiel should be significantly reduced. The full potential of innovation for defence, including Ukrainian solutions, should be tapped. The resilience of defence supply chains should be secured, including by reducing critical dependencies in raw materials and other critical inputs.
Milestones
- Co-legislators adopt the European Defence Industry Programme. Commission presents the European Defence Transformation Roadmap – November 2025
- Commission establishes Tech Alliances for Defence connecting tech innovators with defence users in Member States to help them address critical capability gaps - by end of 2025
- Commission, in close cooperation with lead nations of the capability coalitions, expands the strategic dialogue with industry in first half of 2026 and hosts the first annual Defence Industrial Summit by mid-2026
- Commission to present an overview of the industrial capacity ramp up needed to ensure reliable supply for the agreed capability areas – starting by mid-2026
- Analysis of risks coming from strategic dependencies and bottlenecks in critical raw materials and an Action Plan with mitigating measures for the European defence industry’s international supply chains – second half of 2026
- Reskilling of 200,000 employees for the defence industry by 2026
- Competitiveness Fund, defence window, and Horizon Europe Framework Programme are adopted as part of the next MFF and ready to operate – by end 2027
Indicators
It is proposed to use as indicators in the Annual Defence Readiness Report the following: EU27 defence industry contribution to EU GDP percentage; share of workers in EU27 defence industry, including new jobs created annually; share of new or expanded defence production facilities, the implementation of EU programmes support to innovation in defence, the number of defence related patents registered in the EU, the number of startups created and the number of unicorns in the defence sector.
Ukraine as a key part of Europe’s readiness effort
Objectives
It is proposed to aim to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself and deter any future Russian aggression. The Ukrainian defence industry should be fully integrated with Europe’s to provide scale for Ukraine’s production and tap the full potential of Ukrainian innovation successes for European defence.
Milestones
- Adoption of the Ukraine Support Instrument within EDIP and the “Reparation loan” with an annual allowance for Ukraine to support its QME – by end 2025
- Deliver on the High Representative’s 2 million artillery ammunition initiative – by end 2025
- Inclusion of Ukraine in the relevant capability coalitions and launch of the EU-Ukraine Drone alliance – by Q1 2026
- In light of the level of SAFE contributions to Ukraine’s defence, assess possible additional incentives to Member States support to Ukraine – by Q1 2026.
- Proposals for additional measures to incentivise Member States rapid military support to Ukraine – by Q1 2026.
- Roll-out of ‘Brave Tech EU’ including funding of the testing of new technological solutions to meet battlefield challenges identified together with UA – by end 2026
- Continuation of EUMAM, and support to the Coalition of the Willing when conditions allow.
Indicators
It is proposed to track progress, in the Annual Defence Readiness Reports by monitoring the volume of overall EU military support (EUR) to Ukraine, the total soldiers trained by EUMAM, the volume of large calibre ammunitions delivered and the share of SAFE loans involving Ukraine. Total direct EU27 investment in UADTIB (EUR) and the number of EU – UA Joint Ventures in defence will also be covered to monitor the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the EU defence industry.
Horizontal enablers
Objective
It is proposed to aim to create by 2030, a genuine EU-wide Market for Defence equipment, with simplified and harmonised rules.
Milestones
- Finalise adoption of Defence Readiness Omnibus and the “mini” Omnibus – by end 2025
- Finalise additional legislative action for the Single Market, notably evaluation of Public Procurement and intra-EU Transfers Directives – by end 2026
Objectives
It is proposed to set up by end 2027 an EU-wide military mobility area, with harmonised rules and procedures and a network of land corridors, airports, seaports, and support elements ensuring unhindered transport of troops and military equipment across the Union, in close coordination with NATO, and boosting the availability of civ-mil transport capabilities.
Milestones
- Presentation of the Military Mobility package – before end 2025
- Identify and prioritise concrete military mobility hotspot projects along the Military Mobility Corridors – by Q1 2026
- Co-legislators adopt the Military Mobility Package – by end 2026
- New Military mobility window within the Connecting Europe Facility adopted and operational – by end 2027
Indicators
It is proposed that the Annual Defence Readiness Report will report on commitments taken by Member States to ensure that issuing movement permissions for troop and equipment is as swift as possible (3 to 5 working days); number of hotspot projects supported with EU funding; CEF Military Mobility budget percentage disbursed; and number of Military Mobility projects supported by EIB Group.
Objectives
It is proposed to incentivise a surge in private and public investment in defence and to achieve maximum efficiency and impact for EU funded support.
Milestones
- Together with EIB/EIF, create an up to EUR 1 billion Fund of funds (equity) supporting the fast growth of defence-related scale-ups and defence related projects – by Q1 2026
- New MFF instruments are approved and operational by end 2027
- SAFE is at least 50% disbursed by Q3 2028
Indicators
The annual defence readiness report could include specific indicators on the public-private investment ratio in defence and on the annual evolution of EIB Group support to security and defence.