The European Commission has proposed five new large-scale projects, known as European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI),to help EU countries strengthen their defence capabilities through the joint development of key military systems.
The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and anti-drone systems; maritime and seabed defence; space; air and missile defence; and strengthening security alongthe EU’ seastern flank . These projects are in response to a call from the Commission for Member States to express their interest insubmitting project proposals for potential Defence and Industrial Cooperation Initiatives (DICI).
Underthe European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP), with a budget of 1.5 billion euros, the Commission has a llocated 325 million euros to support the creation and deployment ofEDPCIs, as set out in the work programme published on 30 March 2026.
The new projects provide a framework for EU countries to collaborate on major defence initiatives that are too large or complex for any single country to develop on its own. Byfostering long-term cooperation, they aim to strengthen the European defence industry and enhance the EU’s ability to respond to common security challenges, in line with NATO’s priorities.
On average, 18 Member Statesare taking partin eachproject,and Ukraineis involvedin four of the five. The Commission is expected to participate in the EDPCIs, provide financial support andcontinuetoassistMember States in coordinating their implementation. It will also monitor progress against the agreed milestones to ensure the time lydelivery of the EDPCI projects.
Next steps
The Council will now discuss the formal establishment ofthe Capital Economic and Cultural Development Initiatives (IDEPCs), setting outtheirobjectives and characteristics, the participating countries and the estimated investment they are expected to generate .
Once the Councilhas approvedthe list ofidentifiedEDPCIs, these will be eligible for EU funding through theEuropean Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) in accordancewitha specific procedure. This funding will enable theinitial launchof the projectsand lay the foundations forpossibleadditional funding through the futureEuropean Competitiveness Fund.
Fund
The EDIP Regulation was adopted on 16 December 2025. This instrument aims to strengthen and modernise the European defence industry, ensure the availability of cutting-edge technology, increase production capacity, support joint public procurement and, furthermore, resilience through the continuous supply of military equipment to the armed forces of Member Statesand the strengthening of supply chains.
The Regulation introduces thecreation of EDPCI sasfuture ambitious collaborative industrial projects designed tobenefit a wider part of the EU and openalsoto Norway and Ukraine.
More information: European Commission.
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