The images of President Zelensky in the Oval Office, publicly attacked by the U.S. President and his Vice President, went around the world – which gave the European debate about strategic autonomy has a new urgency.
Commission President von der Leyen responded with her proposal for ReArm Europe, through massive investment in defense – at least on paper. The White Paper on the Future of European Defense/Readiness 2030 was subsequently intended to show the way for a real strategic reorientation, but falls short of expectations. With the Union Preparedness Strategy, the Commission recently presented proposals for improving the resilience of Europe as a whole.
All these measures reflect a fundamental realignment of European security and defense policy. A central element of this is the industrial side of security policy. In the European Parliament, we have just concluded negotiations on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), for which I was shadow rapporteur for the Greens. Read more about the negotiations in this article from EurActiv.
What is EDIP supposed to achieve?
With a budget of 1.5 billion euros, EDIP is essentially intended to implement the measures from the European Defense Industry Strategy (EDIS): more joint procurements, a strong common industrial base, increasing production capacities and securing supply chains. EDIP is intended to strengthen the competitiveness and adaptability of the European defence industry, ensure the availability of defence products – especially in the event of a crisis – and promote cooperation with Ukraine in the reconstruction, modernization and integration of its defence industry into the European market.
Through so-called Structures for European Armament Programmes (SEAPs) and an EU Military Sales Mechanism for direct government-to-government sales, joint procurement should become the standard, and fragmented demand should be bundled. With a fund (FAST) for targeted support to SMEs and backing for projects funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), the industrial sector’s production capacities are to be increased and innovation projects brought to market readiness. A mechanism for securing supply chains – including an early warning system for essential products and crisis measures – will strengthen the resilience of European defense. Ukraine will be supported through a dedicated instrument, which is to be financed, among other sources, from frozen Russian assets.
What did we emphasize in the negotiations?
We Greens welcome that EDIP aims for more European cooperation and resilience in the field of defense. We particularly appreciate the improved incentives for more joint procurement and market integration, the strengthening of SMEs, and the clear support for Ukraine.
We were also able to push through important improvements, such as an article on parliamentary oversight, annual reporting by the Commission on the SEAPs, greater parliamentary involvement in major European projects, and quantitative targets for evaluating the program.
Furthermore, it was important to us that EDIP contributes to the consolidation of markets and capabilities and that support reaches where it is most urgently needed – for example, on the EU’s eastern flank. Following today’s vote, negotiations with the Council and Commission can now begin.
