EU allocates €325 million for five defence projects, four include Ukraine

The European Commission has allocated €325 million to support the establishment and implementation of five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI), with Ukraine taking part in four of them.

Source: European Pravda, citing the European Commission press service

Details: The industrial projects focus on five priority areas: drones and counter-drone systems, maritime and seabed defence, space, air and missile defence, and strengthening security along the EU's eastern flank.

"Member states, together with the support of the EU, are joining forces, pooling their expertise and investing together in the capabilities we need. From drones and air defence to space, maritime, and the security of our Eastern Flank and the European Union as a whole, the five projects focus on the areas where we need to move faster to build a stronger, more resilient European defence," said Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space.

EDPCIs are large-scale industrial projects which provide a framework for member states to work together on major defence initiatives that are too large or too complex for individual countries to develop on their own. The projects are designed to cover the full lifecycle of defence capability development, from creation to deployment and operation.

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.

The funds have been allocated under the €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme.

Background:

• Earlier, Lithuania said the European Commission would consider a request from the Baltic states for an additional €500 million to bolster drone defences.
• On 28 September, EU defence ministers will discuss the possibility of transferring Patriot air defence interceptor missiles to Ukraine from EU member states' stockpiles in exchange for later deliveries from the manufacturer funded by Ukraine.

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