EU and Canada deepen security ties through new defence partnership

The European Union and Canada formalised a Security and Defence Partnership in June 2025, expanding cooperation beyond trade to include support for Ukraine, faster military movement across Europe, cybersecurity, maritime security, defence projects, space and new technologies. The agreement follows heightened European defence spending and a push for domestic arms production after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Canada, while not an EU member, is a key NATO ally and will become the first non-European participant in the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, linking Canadian and European defence firms.

Both sides see the partnership as complementary to NATO rather than a rival, aiming to streamline military logistics and address hybrid threats such as cyber attacks and satellite vulnerabilities. Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the move as part of Canada’s broader effort to diversify its international partnerships while remaining committed to NATO. The long-term impact will depend on how quickly joint projects materialise and how the EU and NATO coordinate their respective defence roles.