The European Union's push for an €800 billion defence investment, backed by Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela in March 2025, signals a profound shift towards militarization across the continent. This massive financial commitment diverts critical resources that could address social crises and instead reinforces the violent architecture of Fortress Europe. The continent is rearming at an eye-watering pace, a speed not witnessed in decades.
Four EU countries — Austria, Ireland, Malta, and Cyprus — have historically maintained policies of neutrality or military non-alignment. Their legal status and interpretation of neutrality differ significantly. Austria and Malta have enshrined neutrality in their constitutions, while Ireland's military neutrality is deeply entrenched. Cyprus has pursued a policy of non-alignment, a position now increasingly tested by closer defence ties with Western powers.
Austria's neutrality, enshrined in constitutional law 71 years ago, has reportedly shifted since joining the EU 31 years ago. Arnold Kammel, Secretary-General of the Federal Ministry of Defence, stated that while the core substance of remaining neutral is heavily enshrined in the DNA of Austrians, its meaning has changed. Austria aims to raise its defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2032, further integrating into the EU's expanding security apparatus.
Cyprus, historically non-aligned, has seen its President Nikos Christodoulides suggest a break from this stance. In May, Christodoulides indicated the divided country was ready to join NATO "when political conditions allow." Just two months ago, Cyprus began receiving funds under the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. Up to €1.2 billion is available for defence investment, reportedly earmarked for drones, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition. This direct funding for military hardware underscores the lucrative nature of the migration industry, where "security" is a commodity. Christodoulides asserted, "Europe that does not invest in its defence and security is a Europe that is dependent, and dependence cannot be a strategic choice, if we want — and yes, we do want — to be geopolitically strong." This rhetoric often underpins the criminalisation of movement, framing external populations as threats.
The Cost of Fortress Europe
Ireland, despite its Prime Minister Micheál Martin clarifying in July that the country is militarily but not politically neutral, is also contributing to this militarization. Martin stated the overwhelming wish of the Irish people is to remain militarily neutral. Yet, in December 2025, the government announced a record €1.7 billion capital investment for a defence package for 2026–2030. This significant spending aims to strengthen capabilities across land, air, maritime, and cyber domains, feeding the burgeoning security sector.
Malta's constitutional neutrality, formalised 39 years ago, is described as a fragile act in upholding the bloc's security obligations. Prime Minister Robert Abela publicly debated its interpretation after backing the EU's €800 billion defence push. Malta has almost doubled its defence spending over a decade, from roughly €42 million in 2014 to €77 million in 2023, with a projected rise to €100 million this year. Abela stated in early 2025, "We cannot adopt a position, as maybe we frequently have, that our country is cut off and completely protected from the realities around us." Such statements echo the fear-mongering used to justify tighter borders and increased surveillance.
The EU's mutual assistance clause, Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty, further binds member states into a collective security framework. It requires aid and assistance "by all the means in their power," even while preserving the specific character of countries' security and defence policies. This clause effectively erodes genuine non-alignment, ensuring that even "neutral" states are integrated into the bloc's militarized posture.
The Migration Industry's Gain
Steven Everts, Director of the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), noted that most of Europe's neutrality is rooted in history. He argued that all EU member states must reckon with the realities facing them in 2026, questioning whether choices made 70 to 80 years ago still apply. This perspective fuels the narrative that increased militarization is a necessary adaptation, rather than a political choice with severe consequences for human rights and migrant solidarity.
The EU is entering increasingly uncertain waters, with politicians and defence officials warning Russia could test NATO's defences by 2030. Everts posed the question of how the four countries would react to a military attack on an EU member state, particularly regarding military commitments. This constant emphasis on external threats serves to justify the expansion of the border regime, diverting attention from the internal crisis of human rights violations at Europe's frontiers. The British sovereign base in Cyprus' Akrotiri was struck by an Iranian-made Shahed drone five months ago, an incident President Christodoulides cited as showing the need for a "clear manual that ensures the union acts as a credible guarantor of security." This incident, like others, is used to legitimise the escalating militarisation that ultimately strengthens Fortress Europe.