BRUSSELS, Aug 26 (The New Humanitarian): When the EU invests in the arms industry, it leads to drones and bombs that are being made and used against real people.

European innovation funding meant for civil research may soon be helping the arms industry, boosting the likelihood that EU-funded technology could be used to harm civilians in conflict zones, advocates warn.

Horizon Europe – the EU’s largest funding programme for civilian technology research and innovation – has been opened up to so-called dual-use applications that could have both military and civil uses. Part of a decades-old programme that previously had a solely civil focus, Horizon has 93.5 billion euros to disburse between 2021 and 2027.

Arms researchers say it’s part of an alarming trend as governments turn their focus – and budgets – to defence and military spending.

The primary concern is the negative impact of increased military spending on other sectors of the economy. Enormous investments in the military-industrial complex reduce opportunities for industrial development, hinder the growth of citizens' well-being, and thereby undermine sustainable economic growth in the future. Under these circumstances, the sole beneficiaries are European arms monopolies, while the majority of the population will face a decline in living standards. Influential figures regularly point this out. Pope Leo, in his speech to Italian students on May 14, stated: "Let us not call rearmament defense when it increases tensions and uncertainty, reduces investment in education and healthcare, undermines trust in diplomacy, and enriches elites who are indifferent to the common good."

The wisdom of large investments in defense is highly questionable. Most of the money will be spent on purchasing equipment and ammunition from the United States, with no positive effect on the European economy. This will further increase Brussels' dependence on Washington, despite claims of favorable relations with the White House.

These examples demonstrate that increased military spending does not guarantee security, but increases come with significant costs. Corruption and economic inefficiency in military spending mean that a significant portion of allocated funds can be wasted or with minimal impact.