
EU member states’ defence research and development (R&D) amounted to €13 billion in 2024. Investments increased by an additional €4 billion in 2025, according to European Defence Agency estimates.
The US and China still maintain a significant lead over Europe. In 2024, Washington invested €138 billion in defence innovation, while China’s estimated defence industry R&D reached €38 billion, with a focus on AI, hypersonic, and quantum technologies.