Since war arrived on Europe’s doorstep in February 2022, the defense industry has found itself in the midst of a golden age—one marked by skyrocketing lobbying budgets and a growing presence in Brussels. As the European Union scrambles to bolster its military capabilities in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, defense companies are making sure they have a seat at the decision-making table.
The lobbying budgets of the largest European defense firms surged by around 40 percent between 2022 and 2023. At the same time, most of these firms have significantly expanded their Brussels-based teams, seeking to influence policies, secure lucrative contracts, and steer the EU’s evolving defense agenda.
With the U.S. wavering in its support for Ukraine and an unpredictable Donald Trump looming on the horizon, Europe is being forced to rethink its security strategy—and defense firms are capitalizing on this new reality.
“We see an unprecedented interest driven by the stark reality of the security landscape,” said Line Tresselt, a partner and group director of defense and security at Rud Pedersen, a consultancy advising the defense sector for over two decades.
Traditionally, military spending has been largely dictated by national governments. As a result, lobbying efforts were focused on individual countries rather than EU institutions. However, with the bloc now moving towards centralized defense policies and funding mechanisms, the EU itself has become a new battleground for influence.
At the heart of this shift is the European Commission’s push for greater defense autonomy. Key initiatives such as:
The €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)
The European Defense Fund
The upcoming EU Defense White Paper
The newly appointed EU Defense Commissioner
NATO’s evolving posture in response to geopolitical tensions
…have all created an influx of policy and funding opportunities that European arms-makers are eager to shape in their favor.
At stake is an old-fashioned fight over money. European defense giants want EU funds to flow into local manufacturers, while foreign firms—especially U.S. contractors—are determined to secure a share of the market.
The top 10 EU defense firms—Airbus, Leonardo, Thales, Rheinmetall, Naval, Saab, Safran, KNDS Deutschland, Dassault, and Fincantieri—must disclose their lobbying efforts in the EU Transparency Register. An analysis of LobbyFacts data shows a staggering increase in spending between early 2022 and early 2023.
In 2022, cumulative lobbying spending ranged from €3.95 million to €5.1 million.
By 2023, that figure had risen to between €5.5 million and €6.7 million.
Using the most conservative estimates, this amounts to a 40 percent increase in just one year.
Some firms have been particularly aggressive in their efforts:
Saab (Sweden’s defense giant) doubled its lobbying budget.
Airbus and Dassault significantly ramped up their spending as well.
Money isn’t the only thing defense firms are throwing at Brussels. Many have also expanded their lobbying teams to ensure constant representation at key EU institutions.
In 2024, 90 percent of the companies surveyed reported hiring additional full-time staff in Brussels:
Thales expanded its lobbying team from 3.5 to 10 employees—one of the most dramatic increases.
Leonardo grew its Brussels-based lobbying force from three to five employees.
This hiring spree reflects a broader trend: companies that once focused on lobbying national governments in major markets like Germany and Poland are now recognizing the need for a stronger foothold in Brussels.
It’s not just European firms beefing up their influence operations. U.S. defense contractors are also making strategic moves to shape the EU’s evolving defense policy.
Lockheed Martin registered as an EU lobbyist for the first time in May 2023 and has already deployed two full-time lobbyists to the European Parliament.
RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies) has assigned two full-time lobbyists and hired four external representatives to advance its interests in Brussels.
The entry of these American powerhouses reflects growing concerns over Europe’s dependency on U.S. defense systems. With Donald Trump threatening to withdraw support for NATO and pressuring Europe to spend more on its own defense, EU leaders are scrambling to strengthen domestic defense production—a shift that could either benefit or hurt American companies.
Defense firms now face a strategic dilemma: should they appeal to Trump’s transactional nature by buying more U.S. weapons, or should they pivot towards European arms to reduce reliance on Washington? Either way, defense lobbyists are poised to profit.
The surge in lobbying activity has also created a gold rush for public affairs consultancies specializing in defense and security.
Rud Pedersen has expanded its defense practice to meet rising demand, with an influx of IT companies entering the military sector.
C&V Consulting, a defense-focused advisory firm, has doubled in size as banks and investment funds—which historically avoided the defense sector due to reputational risks—now seek specialized guidance.
Brussels’ lobbying scene remains largely dominated by a few established players:
Only Forward and Logos Public Affairs, both of which work with Airbus.
Trade associations like EUTOP Europe and Euralia, which help shape EU defense policy.
However, new entrants are trying to break into the industry, though they still face stiff competition from traditional lobbying firms.
Jean-Marc Vesco, CEO of C&V Consulting, emphasized the ethical responsibility of working in defense:
“We know some of our employees may be courted by the competition, but we believe our commitment to EU values is what keeps us competitive. We’re not selling socks or cans of Coca-Cola.”
As the EU shifts towards a more centralized defense strategy, the influence of arms manufacturers in Brussels is only expected to grow. With billions in potential funding, regulatory decisions, and NATO’s evolving security landscape at stake, the fight for EU military contracts will intensify in the coming years.
The lobbying boom also raises critical questions about transparency and ethics:
Will EU policymakers prioritize strategic autonomy over commercial interests?
How will U.S. firms navigate the shifting sands of European defense policy?
What safeguards exist to prevent undue influence over crucial security decisions?
One thing is certain: defense lobbyists aren’t going anywhere. As war continues to reshape Europe’s security landscape, the race to secure contracts, influence policy, and shape the future of EU defense spending is only just beginning.
The past three years have transformed Brussels into a battleground—not just for policy, but for influence. With billions at stake, the lobbying boom in Europe’s defense sector reflects both the urgency of military preparedness and the power struggles unfolding behind closed doors.
As defense firms continue to expand their presence, and as geopolitical uncertainties mount, one thing is clear: war may be fought on battlefields, but the fight for influence is being waged in Brussels.
