Robert de Groot, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), told MEPs on the Security and Defence Committee on Tuesday 14 April that we must “always try to do more, faster and in a simpler way to work with the private sector and strengthen European defence and our defence capabilities “.
Since March 2025, the activities eligible for EIB financing have been extended, with the possibility of supporting purely defence and military activities - but not lethal equipment.
“For 2025, we have quadrupled our results compared with 2024, going beyond the €4 billion mark” in defence financing, he explained, adding that this already accounted for 5% of the bank’s total volume of financing. “For 2026, we have approved an increased share for security and defence of up to €4.5 billion”, Mr de Groot told MEPs. The EIB representative stated that a mid-term review would take place in June, with the possibility of maintaining or increasing this support.
Mr de Groot also hoped that the new version of the defence capital instrument would start in the summer, “which will make it possible to have substantial amounts”, with a target of €1 billion. “We want to support 20 to 30 venture capital funds in the field of defence, but also equity, credit and cyber security (...)”, explained the EIB representative. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)