In response, the EU has embarked on a new generation of industrial and capability instruments. The 2024 European Defence Industrial Strategy(EDIS) sets a long‑term course to reinforce the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base(EDTIB) and spur cross‑border cooperation. Building on EDIS, the Commission proposed the European Defence Industry Programme(EDIP) and other measures designed to accelerate availability and delivery of defence products—complemented by joint procurement incentives such as EDIRPA and additional industrial stimulus via the SAFE Regulation. Together, these initiatives are intended to shift Europe from fragmented purchasing toward coordinated demand and scaled production. From‘security consumers’ to‘security contributors’ Within this picture, the Western Balkans—long treated primarily as a stability risk—become practical contributors to European defence readiness that the EU has yet to fully leverage. The region’s reputation has shifted markedly since the 1990s. Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia are now NATO allies, and five of the six Western Balkan partners are at various stages of EU accession(Kosovo being a potential candidate). Symbolically, the appointment of a former North Macedonian defence minister as NATO Deputy Secretary‑General and the decision to host a NATO Summit in Tirana in 2027 underline a higher profile in Euro‑Atlantic defence circles. Against that backdrop, the Western Balkan countries can support EU strategic autonomy on two mutually reinforcing levels. First, they can help strengthen the EDTIB by procuring European equipment and by producing critical goods, components and raw materials—including ammunition—at scale and at competitive cost. Second, they can deepen operational cooperation by pooling and aligning capabilities in areas such as logistics, military mobility, training and participation in CSDP missions. We further detail where and how these contributions already exist and how the EU could systematize them. Western Balkan’s support for EU Strategic Autonomy Strengthening the EDTIB → Procuring European equipment → Producing critical goods, components and raw materials— including ammunition — at scale and at competitive cost Deepening operational cooperation → Pooling and aligning capabilities in logistics, military mobility, training → Participation in CSDP missions Where the region already contributes: five practical avenues 1. Defence spending and acquisitions Defence outlays have climbed steadily across the region. With the partial exception of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Western Balkan countries are projected to meet or exceed the 2%‑of‑GDP benchmark by 2025, with a regional average of about 2.06% and an even higher average among the three NATO allies that have also committed to also meet the 5% target. Several allocate 20–30% of their budgets to equipment and modernisation—an indicator that resources are flowing into tangible capability development rather than personnel costs alone. Defense Spending among the WB6: NATO Benchmarks, Aspirations, and 2025 Projections % of GDP 6 5 4 3 2 1 NATO Benchmark(2%) 5% 2% 2,06% Regional average(2025) NATO Allies Aspiration(5%) Reality(2025 projected) The chart compares NATO’s defense spending benchmark (2% of GDP) with the projected 2025 regional average of 2.06% of GDP. Defense Budget Allocation Equipment& Modernisation 20%-30% Procurement patterns show a growing tilt toward European suppliers alongside purchases from the United States and Turkey. Examples include Albanian investments in helicopters and armoured vehicles sourced from Germany and Italy; Montenegro’s acquisition of armoured platforms from Austria and Germany; North Macedonia’s orders of Italian helicopters and French short‑range air defence; and Serbia’s diversified modernisation programme, from transport aircraft and air defence to radar and rotary‑wing fleets, capped by a controversial decision to buy French Rafale fighters with downgraded capabilities given Belgrade’s ties with Moscow. These purchases enhance interoperability with EU forces and can unlock follow‑on cooperation in training, maintenance and industrial offsets. Strategic Partners at Europe’s Edge: Harnessing the Western Balkans for EU Defence Readiness 2