Improving the quality of European defence spending - Cost of non-Europe report

Building a European defence union is at the top of the EU's policy agenda. It is essential to preserving the security and wellbeing of EU society from current and future geopolitical threats. A reflection on the efficiency and quality of defence spending is a crucial first step in this process. Based on research carried out for the European Parliamentary Research Service, this report investigates the potential gains from deeper European cooperation on defence spending that leverages the continent's economies of scale regarding: (i) military forces and strategic assets, (ii) defence equipment procurement, and (iii) research into emerging disruptive technologies. The cost of non-Europe in defence spending is estimated to range from €18 to €57 billion per year. EU action to boost the efficiency and quality of European defence spending could also create jobs, improve the certainty of the business environment and boost the rule of law.