The Council presidency has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament representatives on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). The agreed regulation will urgently mobilise €500 million from the EU budget (in current prices) to support the ramp-up of the manufacturing capacities for the production of ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles. In doing so, it […]
EU proposes comprehensive new on Climate-Security nexus
The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication laying out how the EU will address the growing impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the fields of peace, security, and defence. Recurrent climate extremes, rising temperatures and sea levels, desertification, water scarcity, threats to biodiversity, environmental pollution and contamination are threatening the health and […]
A stronger European defence industry: Council and European Parliament agree on new rules to boost common procurement
The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA). The regulation will incentivise EU member states to jointly procure weapons, thereby ensuring interoperability, economies of scale and – ultimately – a strong European defence industry. The Council and the EP agreed on an ambitious […]
Agreement on additional military support of €3.5 billion
Ministers adopted a decision increasing the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by €3.5 billion which is a signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike. The EPF helps prevent conflict, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. With today’s top-up, the overall financial […]
The EU and NATO deepen their strategic partnership
The Council took note of the eighth progress report on the implementation of the 74 common proposals endorsed by the EU and NATO Councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017. The report highlights and elaborates on the tangible progress achieved between June 2022 and May 2023, across all areas of cooperation. Whilst tackling the gravest […]
More EU cooperation needed to mitigate risks to critical maritime infrastructure
Critical maritime infrastructure is fundamental to the security and economic stability of the European Union. With the majority of global trade and commerce taking place via sea routes, any disruption to maritime infrastructure can have severe consequences. From underwater infrastructures attacks – such as pipelines and undersea cables – to illicit activities like terrorism, piracy, […]
The European Commission has adopted the Act in Support of Ammunition Production
The Commission has adopted the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) as a response to track 3 of the plan agreed by the Council on 20 March, to urgently deliver ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help Member States refill their stocks. By introducing targeted measures including financing, the Act aims at ramping […]
MEPs support establishment of EU rapid reaction force
The EU military instrument for rapid reaction to crises would consist of up to 5000 troops and should reach full operational capability by 2025 at the latest. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 444 votes in favour, 96 against and 86 abstentions, MEPs support the proposal to establish the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (EU […]
Defence in Space: How is EDA providing support to the EU’s wider strategy?
No one can accuse the European Union of a lack of ambition in space. It has one of the largest space budgets in the world. Two of its best-known systems are Copernicus, the EU’s Earth Observation (EO) programme, and Galileo, the EU’s Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS). The development of a new communication constellation, called […]