Quick march! Ten steps for a European defence surge

24 January 2025
Report Launch Event
Speakers: Christian Liflander, Head of the Defence Policy Section, NATO; Paul Taylor, Senior Fellow, Europe in the World Programme, European Policy Centre; Raluca Csernatoni, Fellow, Carnegie Europe; Tania Lațici, Political Officer, Peace, Security and Defence, European External Action Service
Moderator: Jamie Shea, Senior Advisor, European Policy Centre & Former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, NATO
Nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe is confronted with the urgent need to bolster its defence capabilities in the face of evolving threats, including Russian aggression and global instability. Despite widespread recognition of the need for a defence surge, Europe continues to face significant industrial, financial, and human resources challenges.
To respond to these pressing challenges, the European Policy Centre has launched a key report, "Quick March! Ten Steps for a European Defence Surge." As a cornerstone of the EPC’s European Defence and Security Project (DefSecEU), this report offers practical and actionable solutions to address Europe’s critical defence needs.
The report emphasises strengthening the capacity of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), improving access to public funding and private investment for the defence industry, and fostering the development and retention of the human skills and talents for European armed forces and security services.
The event brought together distinguished senior policymakers and renowned security experts to explore the report’s findings and recommendations and discussed practical strategies for achieving a European defence surge.