The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed on a series of measures to further boost investment in security and defence, as well as in critical raw materials.

The Board has further expanded EIB Group’s eligibility criteria for financing Europe’s security and defence industry and infrastructure, ensuring that excluded activities are kept to a minimum, in line with the proposals endorsed by EU leaders at the Special European Council on 6 March. 

The EIB’s existing €8 billion Strategic European Security Initiative (SESI) will be integrated into a cross-cutting and permanent public policy goal, complementing the existing public policy objectives. There will be no predefined ceiling for financing in this area, which will instead be determined annually in the EIB Group Operational Plan. 

This will enable the EIB Group to respond to financing needs while safeguarding its operations and maintaining a strong financial position for security and defence projects. These investments will cover areas such as barracks and storage facilities, land and aerial vehicles, drones and helicopters, radars and satellites, advanced avionics, propulsion and optics, land border protection, military mobility, critical infrastructure, de-mining and decontamination, space, cybersecurity, anti-jamming technologies, military equipment, seabed infrastructure protection, and research.

The decisions will further facilitate investment to strengthen Europe’s industrial defence capacities, complementing the European Commission’s White Paper for European Defence and  “Readiness 2030” plan, while fostering synergies with EU governments, national promotional banks, the private sector, and other key stakeholders. 

The EIB Group is expected to at least double its investments in security and defence projects this year, reaching a new record.

Also read: European Investment Bank | Support for the security and defence industry

The EIB Board also adopted a new Critical Raw Materials (CRM) strategic initiative, enhancing the EIB Group’s role as key provider of financing and advisory support to projects across the entire value chain, both within and outside the EU. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the EU’s Critical Raw Material Act.

Secure access to critical raw materials is crucial for Europe’s green and digital transitions, while it is essential to maintaining the global competitiveness of European industry, including in the security, defence, and aerospace sectors.

The new initiative includes an expected €2 billion in financing for critical raw material investments this year, the establishment of a new CRM Task Force, and the creation of a dedicated one-stop shop to build and manage a pipeline of CRM operations and advisory activities, alongside increased technical expertise and partnerships.

Also read: Poland | EIB backs first Polish satellite programme with loan to Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego