A Year of Progress for EU Defence and Space Policies

Over the past year, the European Union has taken major steps to strengthen its security and prepare for the challenges of the future. From defence to space, the EU has worked to protect citizens, support Ukraine’s defence industry and secure Europe’s place in a rapidly changing world.

To make defence investment quicker and more efficient, the EU introduced the OMNIBUS package. Through the ReARM Europe Plan, up to 800 billion euro is being mobilised to boost European defence, supported in particular by the SAFE LOANS initiative. This includes 150 billion euros set aside to help Member States jointly purchase essential defence capabilities.

A major milestone was the White Paper for European Defence, called Readiness 2030. It proposes clear solutions to strengthen the defence industry by closing critical capability gaps and ensuring long term preparedness. It also outlines how Member States can significantly increase investment; acquire the equipment they need and support the steady growth of the European defence industry in the years ahead.

The EU also took action to reinforce readiness, safeguard vital supply chains and support the development of defence technology in Ukraine through the European Defence Industry Programme, worth 1.5 billion euro.

With the introduction of the Military Mobility Package, Europe now has what many call a military Schengen. It allows troops and equipment to move quickly and efficiently across the continent whenever needed.

In space, the EU continued to deliver achievements that support citizens and strengthen Europe’s global role. Preparations for the IRIS² Secure Connectivity Programme moved forward with the concession contract signature, while Copernicus, the world leading Earth observation programme, expanded with the launch of five new satellites to monitor air quality, rising seas among others.

A standout moment for European space was the progress of Galileo. On 24 July 2025, its OSNMA service was officially declared operational, marking a major achievement for Galileo and for users of satellite navigation around the world. OSNMA allows users to verify that Galileo’s navigation messages are genuine and untouched, significantly improving protection against spoofing at a time when interference events are increasing across the globe.

Another important development was the strengthening of space cooperation with Ukraine. The European Commission and the Government of Ukraine signed an agreement enabling Ukraine to take part in three core components of the EU Space Programme, namely Copernicus, the Space Weather Events service and the Near-Earth Objects subcomponent. This deepens an already strong partnership and supports shared efforts to monitor the environment, track hazards and build resilience.

The proposed EU Space Act marked another important step by seeking to harmonise rules and promote safety and sustainability in orbit. At the same time, the Vision for the European Space Economy outlined how Europe can secure a strong position in the global space market and reinforce its technological leadership.

Taken together, these achievements show how the EU is investing in a safer, more resilient and more forward-looking Europe.