European Commission presents EU defense industry program with Ukraine's participation
The European Commission has presented a new strategy for the defense industry (Getty Images)
The European Commission has unveiled the first-ever European Defense Industrial Strategy at the EU level. Ukrainian industry will be integrated into the EU plan, citing the European Commission's announcement.
"In response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the EU must bolster its defence capabilities. We are moving from emergency mode to a comprehensive strategy that will make our defence industry stronger & capable of ensuring our collective security," said EU diplomat Josep Borrell.
Alongside the new strategy, the European Commission has proposed the European Defense Industry Program, aimed at bridging "from short-term emergency measures, adopted in 2023 and ending in 2025, to a more structural and longer-term approach to achieve defence industrial readiness."
The program will mobilize €1.5 billion from the EU budget for the years 2025-2027.
"Today we set our vision for defence readiness with Europe’s defence industrial strategy. It will support Member States to not only spend more, but better, together and European. And link Ukraine’s know-how with our defence industry to facilitate innovation," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The strategy sets indicators aimed at measuring the progress of member states in ensuring industrial readiness. Member states are proposed to:
- Procure at least 40% of defense equipment by 2030 through cooperation;
- Ensure that by 2030, the value of defense trade within the EU accounts for at least 35% of the EU defense market's value;
- Achieve sustainable progress in ensuring at least 50% of their defense procurement budget within the EU by 2030 and 60% by 2035.
