European nations have, for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, surpassed the United States in arms contracts and military-industrial output for Ukraine, a landmark shift underscoring Europe’s increasing role in sustaining Kyiv’s defense.
A detailed tally from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy’s Ukraine Support Tracker shows that, by the end of June 2025, Europe had committed at least €35.1 billion ($41.1 billion) in military industrial output for Ukraine, €4.4 billion more than the U.S. over the same period. During May and June 2025 alone, European governments allocated another €10.5 billion in military aid, with €4.6 billion of that tied specifically to new defense procurement contracts, rather than drawing from existing stockpiles.
Leading the charge among European donors is Germany, which put forward €5 billion in fresh military contracts. Norway and Belgium followed with notable packages of €1.5 billion and €1.2 billion, respectively. The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Denmark each pledged between €500–600 million.
This shift does not just reflect financial volume; it signals a structural transition. European support is increasingly channelled through industrial production, an approach seen as more sustainable and predictable, in contrast with U.S. assistance, which has been more volatile and frequently reliant on outdated stockpiled surplus.
European leaders are clearly intent on building a defense-industrial base capable of meeting both Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs and long-term regional security challenges. While the U.S. remains Europe’s largest single-country backer and continues to supply high-end systems like long-range missiles and air defense, Europe’s aggregate contributions now outstrip American support in both volume and consistency.
