After months of negotiations, we reached a preliminary agreement with the Council last night on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) – and that’s good news. With Russia’s aggression growing, Europe must strengthen its own defence capabilities and reduce dependencies. We either stand together and defend every inch of the European project – or we risk losing it.
EDIP is an important step in that direction. It will bridge the gap between ASAP and EDIRPA and the next Multiannual Financial Framework. With a budget of €1.5 billion for 2025–2027, it aims to boost Europe’s defence industry: from supporting joint procurement and industrial ramp-up to strengthening supply chain resilience, supporting SMEs, and integrating Ukraine’s defence technological and industrial base into the European one.
On the positive side, we secured long-term instruments for joint procurement and supply chain security, as well as a new framework for Projects of Common Interest that will help close key capability gaps. But EDIP remains limited in resources and duration. We wanted stronger commitments on joint procurement, support for Ukraine and SMEs, and a bigger role for the European Parliament. And we are disappointed about some last-minute concessions on eligibility and environmental protection, which run counter to the aims of the programme.
The Council did take steps forward, but still too often defends member states’ prerogatives and national industries. Now it’s crucial to bring this programme to life – with swift implementation and real European added value for every euro spent.
Read our Group’s Press Release here.
A Roadmap for European Defence Readiness
On the same day, the Commission presented the Roadmap for European Defence Readiness – a good plan with a clear focus on joint procurement, concrete steps to implement the White Paper on European Defence, and a framework for operationalising the tools we created in EDIP.
At its core are four new Flagship Projects designed to close Europe’s biggest capability gaps. Member states are invited to suggest further ideas. With the Drone Defence Initiative, for instance, the Commission responds directly to recent Russian provocations – it’s these gaps that we need to address jointly and on the European level. This must not turn into a race for national prestige projects that only serve domestic industries.
As so often, it will come down to the Member States. Especially large countries like Germany must now take responsibility and send a clear signal: the time for words is over – it’s time for action. The tools, ideas, and funds are there. What’s needed now is political will.
More on this in my press release.
For more on my political assessment, listen to my interviews with German broadcaster SWR and WDR5.
