Edouard SIMON’s Post

✔️ In 2024, member states spent 30% more on defence comparing to 2021. ✔️ 102 billion EUR was invested in defence in 2024. ✔️ More than 500 000 people work in EU defence sector (2023). Europe is on the right track

The EU’s evolving defence-industrial ambitions 29 October 2024 Brussels has set the goal of achieving a more genuine European defence union, but taking a more unified approach to defence issues is a long-term endeavour, with fragmentation in defence procurement and divergent member-state interests serving as significant barriers to further progress. The European Union’s approach to defence policy has transformed significantly in recent years. Faced with a security landscape defined by intensifying great-power competition, Russia’s invasions of Ukraine, and Europe’s continuing reliance on non-EU arms suppliers, especially the United States, Brussels is re-evaluating its military capabilities and the future of its defence industry. With Ursula von der Leyen reappointed as president of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, until 2028, the bloc’s defence ambitions are set to increase. She has committed to building a ‘true European defence union’ to strengthen coordination in defence spending, procurement and technological innovation across the EU’s 27 member states. While national militaries will remain under the control of individual governments, the broader objective is to establish a stronger pan-European defence industry with greater production capacity and less dependence on foreign suppliers. Considerable challenges cast doubt over the implementation of these ambitions, however.

Using the EU budget to support Member States in jointly procuring defence capabilities would have been unthinkable just a few years ago and constitutes an unprecedented mindset shift in EU policies. The integration of European defence will be first and foremost an integration of the defence industry leading to fewer different systems, more interoperability and interchangeabiliy. The use of same systems will, beyond economies of scale, also lead to closer cooperation between military personnel of Member States as they will jointly train and exercise with the same equipment. As a next step, the EU should get rid of article 41.2 of the treaty, which has become more than obsolete in the present geopolitical situation.

A great ‘Première’ ! EU Member States joining forces to acquire the defence products they need; with the EU budget coming in support of that more efficient, European approach to acquisition. Bringing greater value for money through economies of scale, the common procurement will make critical defence capabilities more affordable for Member States' armed forces. With products procured in common, Member States' armed forces will have improved interoperability. Meaning greater defence readiness. https://lnkd.in/ekdnkdfJ

Important steps in strengthening Europe's defense readiness: After recently announcing that the EU's cohesion funds will be redirected to support member states' defense industries and military mobility projects, the EU has approved its first-ever targeted financial support (EUR 300 m through the EDIRPA instrument) for joint defense procurement projects. Five projects will receive the EU's financial support: joint procurement of Mistral short-range air defense system, IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system, armored vehicles and 155mm artillery ammunition. The Baltic States will also profit from the EU's support: Estonia is among the countries participating in the joint procurement of the Mistral, IRIS-T SLM systems, and artillery ammunition; Latvia is in the joint procurement of the IRIS-T SLM system and armored vehicles; and Lithuania is in the joint procurement of artillery ammunition. https://lnkd.in/ece9RAw6

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The European defence industry can ramp up production within the existing institutional framework. Instead of new institutions, expanding the European Defence Agency into the EU's defence procurement agency could be an option, argue Dick Zandee and Roman de Baedts in their Policy Brief. 🔵 Read: https://lnkd.in/eKwqhrxR

📣 #EuropeanDefenceAgency shoutout! Finally going towards the procurement agency, on the basis of the previous good experience, specially in the implementation of #track2 #ammunition #procurement for #Ukraine On that note, Ministers of #Defence today increased #EDA 's core tasks from 3 to 5! So, the new ones are: ✅ aggregating demand towards joint procurement to fill capabilities shotfalls ☑️ interfacing with EU #civilian and #defence #policies and voicing MoDs joint positions. #JiříŠedivý: “This renewed and strengthened mandate ensures that Ministries of Defence have an Agency that is fit for the future. Ministers of Defence have endorsed a review that enhances the Agency’s ambitions, visibility, and support for Member States. With expanded tasks and a stronger intergovernmental voice, Ministers signal the Agency's crucial role in bolstering EU #defencecapabilities.” Let's get to work! 💪 🇪🇺 https://lnkd.in/dETSmuda

#EDIRPA is an #EU programme aimed at incentivising #cooperation in #defence procurement between Member States to jointly coordinate and acquire the most urgent and critical defence product needs, especially those amplified from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The #EDIRPA Instrument, with a total budget of EUR 310 million, will facilitate access for all Member States to defence products being urgently needed. By rewarding defence procurement cooperation among Member States, EDIRPA aims to offset the complexity often associated with common procurement. https://lnkd.in/d5KqTmQB