Brussels is pouring unprecedented sums into maritime defence as the bloc confronts a growing array of threats to its ports, undersea cables, and offshore energy infrastructure. With 90 percent of EU trade, energy supplies, and internet data moving by sea, the vulnerability of these lifelines has become a central security concern.
The European Union updated its Maritime Security Strategy in March 2023, and the funding has followed. EU member states collectively spent €343 billion on defence in 2024, a 19 percent increase year-on-year, with equipment procurement jumping 39 percent. In 2025, spending reached a record €392 billion, much of it channelled through the €150 billion SAFE fund under the bloc's Readiness 2030 roadmap.
Shipbuilding at the core
A significant portion of this investment is going into naval construction. The EU's maritime defence industry produced €13.7 billion worth of vessels in 2025, with two-thirds being surface ships. France, Germany, Italy, and Spain accounted for 82 percent of that output, underscoring the concentration of shipbuilding capacity in western Europe.
Major players such as Naval Group, Fincantieri, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, and Navantia are collaborating on the European Patrol Corvette project, while also securing multi-billion-euro export deals with Norway and Indonesia. This cooperation is seen as a test case for deeper European defence integration, though challenges remain in harmonising requirements and timelines.
The urgency is driven by real-world incidents. In recent years, suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines and damage to undersea telecom cables in the Baltic Sea have highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. As Europe's underwater frontier becomes a new battleground, the EU is investing in surveillance and response capabilities.
Hybrid threats, including cyberattacks on port systems and GPS jamming in the Baltic, add another layer of complexity. The EU's strategy aims to improve coordination among member states, NATO, and industry to deter and respond to such incidents.
However, experts caution that spending alone is not enough. The bloc needs to streamline procurement, reduce fragmentation, and ensure that new capabilities are interoperable. The European Patrol Corvette project, for instance, has faced delays due to differing national requirements.
Despite these hurdles, the political will appears strong. The Readiness 2030 roadmap, unveiled by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, sets ambitious targets for defence investment and industrial capacity. The SAFE fund, named for the Security Action for Europe, is designed to provide low-cost loans to member states for joint procurement.
For the wider continent, including the UK, Norway, and Switzerland, the EU's maritime defence push has implications. Norway, a key NATO ally, is already cooperating with EU shipbuilders, and the UK is watching closely as it seeks to maintain its own naval industrial base.
As threats persist, the EU's ability to protect its seas will be a test of its strategic autonomy. The record spending is a clear signal that Brussels is taking the challenge seriously, but the proof will be in the delivery of capable, ready-to-deploy vessels and systems.
