European Union defence agency says bloc is not rearming fast enough to meet 2030 readiness goal against Russia

The European Defence Agency released its first annual Defence Readiness Report on September 24, 2026, stating that the European Union is not rearming quickly or effectively enough to meet its goal of being ready to defend against Russia by 2030. The report, prepared for EU leaders and seen by Reuters, says current national plans do not fill critical gaps in air and missile defence, ground combat, naval forces, munitions, and drones. It calls for moving substantially faster. The report acknowledges unprecedented progress but says it is not enough. EU defence ministers discussed the report in Brussels on Monday.