According to a Politico investigation published on May 24, 2025, European defense companies have significantly ramped up their lobbying efforts in Brussels since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine. Data from the EU Transparency Register reveals that defense contractors’ spending on EU-level influence has surged by nearly 40% compared to pre-war levels. This spike reflects not only the increased demand for weaponry but also the industry’s ambition to shape the emerging rules of Europe’s new security architecture.
At the heart of the lobbying push are funding allocations from the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the ASAP mechanism (Act in Support of Ammunition Production), which is intended to accelerate the delivery of ammunition, particularly in support of Ukraine. Major players like Airbus, Leonardo, Rheinmetall, and Thales are increasingly present in meetings with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, pushing for streamlined funding procedures and relaxed regulatory requirements.
Despite broad support for strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities, watchdog organizations and transparency advocates are raising alarms. They point to the risk of disproportionate corporate influence on political priorities, potential distortion of budgetary decisions, and lack of openness in security policymaking.
Particularly concerning is the low level of public reporting on meetings with defense sector lobbyists. Organizations such as LobbyControl, Transparency International EU, and other watchdog groups are calling on the EU to update its transparency rules—especially for “sensitive” sectors like defense, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Ultimately, amid large-scale rearmament and a strategic reassessment of European security, the EU faces a clear challenge: how to balance defense effectiveness with democratic oversight and transparency. Lobbying that serves the public interest must be grounded not only in defense contracts but also in clear rules of the game—something that European civil society now expects from Brussels.
