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In an era of strategic competition and complex security threats, the European Peace Facility (EPF) expands the EU’s ability to provide security for its citizens and its partners. It enables the EU to provide all types of equipment and infrastructure to the armed forces of EU partners, in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Follow the link to learn more about the European Peace Facility.

With the Strategic Compass the EU set out the ambition to be a stronger and more capable security provider in its neighborhood and beyond. The EU needs to be able to protect its citizens and to contribute to international peace and security, by being able to react quickly, robustly and effectively to conflicts and crises outside its borders.

The Rapid Deployment Capacity shows that the EU has the military capability to respond quickly to a crisis outside its borders. The Rapid Deployment Capacity underscores the EU’s commitment to playing the key role of being being a stronger security provider and contributing to global peace and stability. Download the factsheet to learn more about the MILEX military exercise of the EU’s Rapid Deployment Capacity [link here] (RDC).

Around 4 000 EU military and civilian staff are currently deployed in CSDP missions and operations in three continents, working for a more stable world and contributing to a safer Europe.

Conflict prevention builds upon the premise that violent conflicts can be prevented before they break out, or at least the scope and impact of violence can be reduced. The European Union (EU) itself was created with the core objective to prevent conflict (article 21 of the Treaty on the European Union). Informed, timely and effective conflict prevention reduces the risk of human suffering, and saves both human lives and financial resources.

EU-NATO cooperation constitutes an integral pillar of the EU’s work on security and defence. The mutually beneficial strategic partnership is key for the Euro-Atlantic security. A stronger EU and a stronger NATO are mutually reinforcing.

‘National security’ and ‘natural security’ are inextricably linked. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures and sea levels, desertification, water scarcity and biodiversity loss are making large areas uninhabitable, forcing people to leave their homes, and threatening their security and health.

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) cooperate closely in crisis management around the world. In 2003, when the EU deployed its first civilian and military operations, the two organisations issued a Joint Declaration on EU-UN-Cooperation in Crisis Management. Since then, in 2022-2024, they have strengthened their strategic partnership.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) has become a valuable instrument for defence cooperation, contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Compass.

In a geopolitical context of increasing power competition and intensification of threats to the EU and its Member States, EU leaders have identified in the Strategic Compass space as a strategic domain.

The Strategic Compass was adopted in March 2022, one month after the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It lists more than 80 concrete actions to translate even more the EU's ambition in security and defence into reality. Two years after its adoption, the EU and its Member States have continued to make significant progress in its implementation.

Space is critical for our societies and economy and is a key enabler for security and defence. In a geopolitical context of increasing power competition and intensification of threats to the EU and its Member States, EU leaders have identified in the Strategic Compass space as a strategic domain. As a result, the first EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence was released in 2023. While implementing this new strategy, the EU is taking action to defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy.

The Strategic Compass provides further guidance on strengthening the EU’s ability to prevent, deter and respond to cyberattacks. The EU is determined to promote and protect a global, open, stable and secure cyberspace for everyone to have a safe digital life. Increased cybersecurity is essential for the EU to become a resilient, green and digital Union.

The increased use of hybrid strategies and operations by state and non-state actors poses a threat to security and shared democratic values of the EU Member States and our partner countries. These threats include, for instance, information manipulation, cyber-attacks, lawfare, economic coercion, and the instrumentalisation of migrants.

Civilian CSDP missions are the EU’s flagship tool for civilian crisis management. Around 2,200 women and men contribute to security globally, helping to prevent and address conflict and crises. Civilian CSDP missions enhance the capacities of partners to strengthen their police, promote the rule of law and support their civil administration.

Military Mobility is an EU initiative to ensure swift and seamless movement of military personnel, materiel and assets – including at short notice and at large scale – within and beyond the EU.

Ensuring safe and secure oceans is vital for the European and world economies.

"The European Union delivered on 31 May the first batch of equipment under the European Peace Facility to Moldova. It will make Europe and Moldova stronger and more resilient.” Josep Borrell High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of the European Commission

The EU needs to become a stronger and more capable actor in security and defence: both to protect the security of its citizens and to act in crisis situations that affect the EU’s values and interests. With the Strategic Compass, Member States agree on a common strategic vision for the EU’s role in security and defence and commit to a set of concrete and wide-ranging objectives to achieve these goals in the coming 5-10 years.

Amid rapid changes and unprecedented challenges, EUAM Ukraine continues to help Ukraine’s law enforcement to live up to the EU accession conditions. In this interview, Head of Mission head Rolf Holmboe outlines the evolving goals and achievements of the mission so far.

Chairman of the EU Military Committee (CEUMC), General Seán Clancy led a small EUMC delegation to Italy on 11-12 September 2025. The goal was to engage with senior Italian defence authorities and to attend the Change of Command ceremony for EUNAVFOR MED — Operation IRINI.

The EU recently held its second annual live maritime security exercise, MARSEC EU 25, to improve the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and combat illegal fishing.

The recent EUMC meeting took place against a background of significant changes in the geopolitical context and strategic outlook

At the inaugural EU–UK Summit on 19 May in London, the European Union and the United Kingdom concluded a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), opening a new phase of cooperation in response to shared security challenges.

Taking place in Hungary with 13 member states participating, MILEX indicates EU’s growing security role.

General Robert Brieger briefed on new weapon systems and technologies supporting the development of military capability.

On 26 September, General Robert Brieger visited Poland upon the invitation of General Wiesław KUKUŁA, Chief of General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.

On 18 September, an informal European Union Military Committee meeting was held in Hungary. The Military Representatives of the twenty-seven Member States gathered and met in Balatonfüred.

The European Union is carrying out the 2024 edition of its crisis management exercise - EU Integrated Resolve (IR24) from 30 September to 25 October 2024.

Civilian and military experts from 35 EU and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, together with decision-makers, are meeting for a four-day seminar in Colombia to discuss how to enhance co-operation on today’s most pressing common security and defence challenges.

EU security and defence initiative training in Côte D’Ivoire follows success in Benin.

The High Representative’s ammunition initiative to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression receives a windfall Voluntary Financial Contribution from Norway.

On 26 September, General Robert Brieger visited Poland upon the invitation of General Wiesław KUKUŁA, Chief of General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.

On 18 September, an informal European Union Military Committee meeting was held in Hungary. The Military Representatives of the twenty-seven Member States gathered and met in Balatonfüred.

EU security and defence initiative training in Côte D’Ivoire follows success in Benin.

The impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the defence and security sector is an important priority for the EU and its Member States. This growing relevance is reflected in the goals set out in the Strategic Compass, whereby CSDP Missions and Operations will appoint an environmental advisor to report on their environmental footprint, by 2025

A new chapter has commenced on how the European Union conducts Crisis Response Exercises. MILEX 23, the EU Crisis Management Military Exercise 2023 demonstrated how the EU is increasing its capacity as a security provider.

The EU’s first live exercise is important to build capacity to respond to crises under the Strategic Compass.

In a key milestone towards elevating its crisis management capabilities, the European Union is embarking on a historic journey in October 2023, with the realization the EU's first Live Exercise in Spain within the framework of MILEX 23. This pioneering event, catalysed by the guiding principles of the Strategic Compass, marks an extraordinary leap forward in reinforcing the EU's posture. As the global landscape evolves with unprecedented challenges, the EU need to boost its readiness and foster interoperability to be able to quickly react to crises outside the Union.

One year after the adoption of the Strategic Compass, joint action and resolve has strengthened the geopolitical standing of the EU. Check out all the progress made in the implementation of the Compass.