The EU’s Council of member states has approved five defence projects under the European Defence Projects of Common Interest to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness and industrial capacity.
The projects will bring European countries together to develop critical capabilities in drones and counter-drone systems, maritime and seabed defence, space, air and missile defence, and the protection of Europe’s eastern flank.
European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) are collaborative industrial projects designed to contribute to the development of member states’ military capabilities that are critical for the security and defence interests of the Union. The projects allow EU countries to work together on major defence initiatives that are too large or too complex for individual countries to develop on their own.
The five selected projects are now eligible to receive EU funding through the EDIP. This funding will enable the projects’ initial deployment and lay the foundation for possible further funding via the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund.
The identified EDPCIs are:
- Drone and Counter-Drone European Resolve (DECODER): this project will help European countries build, scale up, and deploy drones – and technology to stop enemy drones – to address critical capability gaps across the participating countries.
- Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence (IMSD): this project will create an integrated and interoperable defence system allowing participating countries to identify, deter, and respond to threats at sea and on the seabed.
- SPACE will strengthen Europe’s space capabilities in several critical areas. These include early-warning satellites to detect missile launches, satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as precise positioning and timing systems. The project will also enhance capabilities for navigation warfare and the rapid launch of replacement satellites when needed.
- EU Federated Integrated Air and Missile Defence including Early Warning (EU-FIAMD): this project will provide member states with collective and effective integrated air and missile defence – including early warning of incoming threats and coordinated command systems.
- Eastern Flank Watch (EFW) will boost security along the eastern border of the participating countries, covering land, air, sea, cyber, and other domains, with the aim of protecting their entire territory and thereby strengthen their defence readiness.
On average, 18 Member States participate in each project, and Ukraine participates in four of the five projects. The Commission is expected to take part in the EDPCIs, provide financial support and continue to help Member States coordinate their implementation. It will also monitor progress against agreed milestones to support the timely delivery of the EDPCIs projects.
Factsheet on Drone and Counter Drone European Resolve
Factsheet on Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence
Factsheet on EU Federated Integrated Air and Missile Defence including Early Warning
