EU Security and Defence Partnerships

In the face of growing insecurity around the world and in Europe, the EU has bolstered several partnerships with key bilateral partners for security and defence. This page explains why EU Security and Defence Partnerships are important.

Why Security and Defence Partnerships are important?

In the face of growing insecurity in Europe and the world, the EU is committed to strengthening global peace and security through partnerships. Security and Defence Partnerships (SDPs) are non-binding political instruments that frame tailored dialogue and cooperation with key bilateral partners. These Partnerships cover priorities of mutual interest and aim to bolster joint efforts in areas such as crisis management, cyber issues, maritime security, counter-terrorism, or the resilience of critical infrastructure.

These Partnerships offer a flexible and inclusive approach to security cooperation, allowing the EU and its partners to:

Align on shared security interests and strategic priorities;
Enhance interoperability and coordination in defence initiatives;
Facilitate partner’s participation in EU CSDP missions and operations;
Address emerging threats such as hybrid attacks, disinformation, and cyber issues;
Promote peace mediation and conflict prevention efforts;
Countries with a SDP are granted access to common defence procurement under SAFE and their entities can benefit from EU funding after the adoption of additional agreements.

By fostering this cooperation, Security and Defence Partnerships contribute to a more secure and resilient international environment, benefiting both EU citizens and global partners.

Current Security and Defence Partnerships

As of June 2025, the EU has concluded Security and Defence Partnerships with eight partner countries. The EU is continuing engaging with other partners and aiming to develop more partnerships with key global partners.