Readiness 2030 (formerly known by the working title ReArm Europe) is a major strategic defense initiative of the European Union, unveiled by the European Commission in March 2025. Its core ambition is to significantly strengthen European military capabilities, defense infrastructure, and self-reliance, mobilizing investments of up to €800 billion. It responds to a worsening geopolitical security situation, the war in Ukraine, and the urgent need to reduce Europe's dependency on external allies.

Main Goals of Readiness 2030

Readiness 2030 serves as a comprehensive framework for the rapid, large-scale rearmament and modernization of European armed forces and the defense industry. The objective is to achieve full military readiness by 2030. Key targets include closing military capability gaps across EU member states, supporting and integrating the defense industry—including the creation of a single European defense market—and implementing joint procurement so that 35% of defense equipment purchases are conducted jointly. Additionally, the initiative aims to boost support for Ukraine, integrate its defense industry into the European sector, and enhance military mobility to ensure smooth troop and equipment transfers across the Union.

Tools and Financing

The primary element of the initiative is providing unprecedented funding to member states and the defense sector, alongside a broad reduction in bureaucracy. The main pillars are:

• The SAFE instrument (Security Action for Europe), offering up to €150 billion in loans for joint defense projects and acquisitions;
• fiscal flexibility, giving member states a temporary relaxation of budgetary rules so they can increase defense spending by up to 1.5% of GDP annually;
• redirecting existing EU funds (such as cohesion funds) directly into strategic defense investments;
• European Investment Bank (EIB) support through the removal of existing credit restrictions on financing defense companies;
• flagship projects, such as the European Air Shield, the European Drone Defense Initiative, and the Space Shield.

Significance for the Czech Republic

The initiative presents a major opportunity for national security as well as the technology sector. The Czech government has approved a gradual increase in defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. EU funds from this initiative can serve as a key resource for this increase and overall modernization.

Who benefits most from the initiative:

• defense contractors and suppliers, who gain access to new grant programs and involvement in massive joint European procurement;
• technology start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, which can secure attractive financing for innovations, artificial intelligence, drones, and space technologies;
• ministries and the military, for which the initiative provides financing to modernize equipment, replenish depleted stocks, and build resilient infrastructure.