European Security and Defence Policy

Latest news about EU initiatives relating to a common security policy for Europe.

EUR 500m for ammunition production to strengthen EU's defence capabilities — 16 March 2024, 00:32 CET

The EU Commission allocated EUR 500 million Friday for the European defence industry to ramp up its ammunition production capacity to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025.

EU moves to bolster cyber security capacities — 06 March 2024, 23:40 CET

The EU Parliament and Council reached provisional agreement Wednesday on the Cyber Solidarity Act to strengthen the EU's capacities to prepare for, detect and respond to cybersecurity threats.

EU sets out plan to boost Europe's defence readiness — 05 March 2024, 18:52 CET

In the light of Russia's continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief set out plans Tuesday for a major boost to Europe's defence industrial readiness.

European Defence Industrial Strategy and the European Defence Industry Programme - guide — 05 March 2024, 18:31 CET

The European Commission and the EU's High Representative presented on 5 March the first-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy at EU level and proposed an ambitious set of new actions to support the competitiveness and readiness of its defence industry.

EU adopts 13th package of sanctions against Russia — 26 February 2024, 23:18 CET

Two years on from Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the EU adopted Friday its thirteenth package of sanctions against Putin’s regime, those responsible for perpetuating its war and those lending it their support.

EU ramps up ammunition, missiles production with 1st call for proposals — 18 October 2023, 23:47 CET

The Commission published its first call for proposals Wednesday under a Regulation to support ammunition production funding projects improving Europe's production capacities of defence products.

EU to boost production of ammunition for Ukraine — 07 July 2023, 21:55 CET

EU Parliament and Council negotiators informally agreed Thursday on plans to increase EU production of ammunition and missiles to address the current shortage, with a budget of EUR 500 million.

EU reaches deal on joint procurement of defence products — 28 June 2023, 22:45 CET

The European Parliament and Council reached a deal Tuesday on new rules to incentivise EU countries to jointly procure defence products and support the EU’s defence industry.

EU to invest EUR 832m in 41 defence industrial projects — 26 June 2023, 23:37 CET

EU funding of EUR 832m will support 41defence research and development projects across the EU, the Commission said Monday as it announced the results of a 2022 EU Defence Fund call for proposals.

European Defence Fund — 26 June 2023, 23:33 CET

Complementing and amplifying the efforts of EU Member States, the European Defence Fund promotes cooperation among companies and research actors of all sizes and geographic origin in the Union, in research and development of state-of-the-art and interoperable defence technology and equipment. The Fund supports competitive and collaborative projects throughout the entire cycle of research and development for a bigger impact on the European defence capability and industrial landscape. It strongly encourages participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in collaborative projects and fosters breakthrough innovative solutions.

11th package of restrictive measures against Russia - guide — 23 June 2023, 17:40 CET

The EU Council adopted on 23 June an 11th package of sanctions against Russia. This package is aimed at ensuring that EU sanctions against Russia are even better enforced and implemented, based on lessons learned from implementation over the past year.

Commission launches first EU tender for 11.6bcm joint gas purchases — 11 May 2023, 01:44 CET

The EU Commission launched an international tender for joint purchasing of EU gas supplies Wednesday, leveraging the EU's collective economic weight through its 'AggregateEU' mechanism.

Act in Support of Ammunition Production - guide — 03 May 2023, 22:12 CET

The European Commission adopted on 3 May 2023 the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) as a response to track 3 of a plan agreed by the EU Council on 20 March, to urgently deliver ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help Member States refill their stocks.

EU to ramp up ammunition production for Ukraine — 03 May 2023, 23:00 CET

The EU continued its support for Ukraine's defence against Russia's war of aggression Wednesday, approving a plan to deliver ammunition to Ukraine and help Member States refill their stocks.

EU steps up defence against maritime threats — 14 March 2023, 00:02 CET

The EU Commission and foreign policy chief adopted a joint strategy Friday to boost EU maritime security to ensure peaceful use of the seas and safeguard the maritime domain against new threats.

EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence - guide — 10 March 2023, 18:21 CET

The European Commission and the High Representative presented on 10 March for the first time a Joint Communication on a European Space Strategy for Security and Defence.

EU imposes tenth package of sanctions on Russia — 27 February 2023, 19:22 CET

On the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and brutal military aggression against Ukraine, the EU Council on Saturday imposed its 10th package of sanctions on Russia.

Commission suspends TikTok on its corporate devices — 23 February 2023, 22:34 CET

The EU executive decided Thursday to suspend use of the TikTok application on Commission corporate devices Thursday and on personal devices enrolled in the Commission mobile device service.

Russia "a grave threat to the European way of life": Zelensky — 09 February 2023, 23:27 CET

Russia is trying to annihilate not only sovereign Ukraine, but also the European "way of life", Ukraine's president Zelensky told the European Parliament at an extraordinary plenary session Thursday.

Commission outlines goals to boost EU disaster resilience — 09 February 2023, 21:44 CET

As natural and man-made disasters become more frequent and intense, the EU announced Wednesday common goals to boost Europe's capacity to withstand the effects of major disasters and emergencies.

European Union Disaster Resilience Goals - guide — 08 February 2023, 22:20 CET

The European Commission adopted on 8 February a Recommendation and a Communication to establish common goals to boost disaster resilience in the areas of civil protection.

EU imposes new Iran sanctions over protests repression and drones — 12 December 2022, 23:44 CET

The European Union imposed new sanctions on Iran Monday highlighting the brutal repression of protests and human rights, as well as the delivery of drones to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.

UK set to join EU's military mobility project — 16 November 2022, 18:26 CET

The EU Council agreed Tuesday to accept the UK's request to take part in the 'PESCO' Military Mobility defence cooperation project to simplify and standardise national cross-border military transport procedures.

Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) - Deepen defence cooperation between EU Member States — 15 November 2022, 22:36 CET

The establishment of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) by the Council in December 2017 has raised cooperation on defence among the participating EU Member States to a new level. The European External Action Service (EEAS), including the EU Military Staff (EUMS), and the European Defence Agency (EDA) jointly act as the PESCO Secretariat, providing a single point of contact within the Union’s framework for all PESCO matters.

EU to strengthen defence against cyber threats, boost military mobility — 14 November 2022, 22:15 CET

The EU put forward a Communication Thursday on EU Cyber Defence policy and Military Mobility to address the deteriorating security environment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.