New White Paper on European Defence: A Plan to Strengthen Europe’s Security and Resilience
20. marca 2025
The European Commission, together with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has presented the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030.
This strategic document introduces a new approach to defence, identifies critical investment needs, and creates new financial instruments to enhance European defence capabilities.
As part of this initiative, the ReArm Europe plan responds to evolving security threats and emphasizes the need for increased defence investments and technological innovations in this sector.
Key Objectives of the White Paper The White Paper for European Defence outlines six main priorities that will shape the future of Europe’s security:
Financial Instruments for Defence Support As part of the ReArm Europe initiative, the newly introduced Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument will enable investments in defence capabilities worth up to €150 billion. These funds will be available to member states based on national defence plans and aim to accelerate the modernization of Europe’s defence industrial base.
At the same time, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will expand its scope to include financing for defence projects, creating opportunities for mobilizing private capital and innovative investments in the defence sector.
Impact on Slovakia and Critical Infrastructure For Slovakia and its critical infrastructure, these measures provide an opportunity to enhance the protection of strategic sectors, modernize security mechanisms, and integrate more deeply into European defence structures.
New tools and funding can help improve cybersecurity, protect energy networks, and strengthen military infrastructure, increasing the country’s overall resilience to external threats.
Conclusion The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 represents a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s security autonomy. With growing geopolitical threats, it is crucial for EU member states to increase their investments in defence and technological development.
For Slovakia, it is essential to seize the new opportunities presented by this initiative and actively participate in joint projects in the field of defence and security.
Read more at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793
As part of this initiative, the ReArm Europe plan responds to evolving security threats and emphasizes the need for increased defence investments and technological innovations in this sector.
Key Objectives of the White Paper The White Paper for European Defence outlines six main priorities that will shape the future of Europe’s security:
- Closing critical gaps in defence capabilities – focusing on essential technologies and infrastructure needed for the security of EU member states.
- Supporting the European defence industry – creating coordinated demand and promoting joint procurement.
- Deepening cooperation with Ukraine – expanding military assistance and strengthening the link between the European and Ukrainian defence industries.
- Simplifying defence-related regulations – reducing administrative barriers and strengthening the internal market for defence equipment.
- Investing in defence innovation – developing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
- Improving military mobility and protecting external borders – enhancing readiness for potential crisis scenarios.
Financial Instruments for Defence Support As part of the ReArm Europe initiative, the newly introduced Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument will enable investments in defence capabilities worth up to €150 billion. These funds will be available to member states based on national defence plans and aim to accelerate the modernization of Europe’s defence industrial base.
At the same time, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will expand its scope to include financing for defence projects, creating opportunities for mobilizing private capital and innovative investments in the defence sector.
Impact on Slovakia and Critical Infrastructure For Slovakia and its critical infrastructure, these measures provide an opportunity to enhance the protection of strategic sectors, modernize security mechanisms, and integrate more deeply into European defence structures.
New tools and funding can help improve cybersecurity, protect energy networks, and strengthen military infrastructure, increasing the country’s overall resilience to external threats.
Conclusion The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 represents a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s security autonomy. With growing geopolitical threats, it is crucial for EU member states to increase their investments in defence and technological development.
For Slovakia, it is essential to seize the new opportunities presented by this initiative and actively participate in joint projects in the field of defence and security.
Read more at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, an important meeting took place between the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic and another central state administration body in the critical infrastructure sector, namely the Administration of State Material Reserves of the Slovak Republic (SŠHR).
V stredu 10. septembra 2025 sa uskutočnilo dôležité rokovanie Asociácie kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky s ďalším ústredným orgánom štátnej správy na úseku kritickej infraštruktúry, ktorým je Správa štátnych hmotných rezerv Slovenskej republiky (SŠHR).
The Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR) is negotiating with critical subjects and ministries about a suitable financing model for the resilience of critical subjects and the preservation of basic services. The Association is convinced that the entire burden of costs should not be borne only by critical subjects, but that the state should help finance the resilience of critical infrastructure, for example from European funds, and also support negotiations with banks on preparing advantageous loans towards developing threat analyses, security audits and subsequently projects to eliminate identified deficiencies. AKI SR will, in accordance with this proposal, initiate negotiations with the Slovak Banking Association and with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for the recovery plan and knowledge economy. AKI SR is gradually concluding cooperation memorandums with ministries in accordance with the sectors that are under their responsibility according to the critical infrastructure law.
Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry SR rokuje o financovaní nákladov na odolnosť kritických subjektov
Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky (AKI SR) rokuje s kritickými subjektami a ministerstvami o vhodnom modeli financovania odolnosti kritických subjektov a zachovania základných služieb. Asociácia je presvedčená, že celé bremeno nákladov by nemali niesť len kritické subjekty, ale aby štát pomohol financovať odolnosť kritickej infraštruktúry napríklad z európskych fondov a podporil aj rokovania s bankami o príprave výhodných úverov smerom k vypracovaniu analýz hrozieb, bezpečnostných auditov a následne projektov na odstránenie zistených nedostatkov. AKI SR bude v súlade s týmto návrhom iniciovať rokovania so Slovenskou bankovou asociáciou a s podpredsedom vlády SR pre plán obnovy a znalostnú ekonomiku. AKI SR postupne uzatvára memorandá o spolupráci s ministerstvami v súlade so sektormi, ktoré sú v zmysle zákona o kritickej infraštruktúre v ich zodpovednosti.
Representatives of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic participated on August 21, 2025, in a working meeting on the issue of the Critical Infrastructure Strategy in the agriculture and rural development sector of the Slovak Republic.
Zástupcovia Asociácie kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky sa 21. augusta 2025 zúčastnili na pracovnom stretnutí k problematike Stratégie kritickej infraštruktúry v rezorte pôdohospodárstva a rozvoja vidieka SR.
As part of developing cooperation across all critical infrastructure sectors, another significant meeting of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic took place on August 14, 2025, this time at the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic.
V rámci rozvoja spolupráce naprieč všetkými sektormi kritickej infraštruktúry sa 14. augusta 2025 uskutočnilo ďalšie významné rokovanie Asociácie kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky, tentokrát na Ministerstve investícií, regionálneho rozvoja a informatizácie Slovenskej republiky.
In the video, you will learn how the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic protects the state's strategic systems, supports innovation, and coordinates cooperation between the public and private sectors. From January 1, 2025, laws No. 367/2024 and 366/2024 bring new obligations in the area of critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. How to prepare for EU directives and face threats? See how the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic helps companies and institutions!
Vo videu sa dozviete, ako Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky chráni strategické systémy štátu, podporuje inovácie a koordinuje spoluprácu verejného a súkromného sektora. Od 1. januára 2025 prinášajú zákony č. 367/2024 a 366/2024 nové povinnosti v oblasti kritickej infraštruktúry a kyberbezpečnosti. Ako sa pripraviť na smernice EÚ a čeliť hrozbám? Pozrite si, ako Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky pomáha firmám a inštitúciám!