The discussions focused on accelerating joint procurement to ensure interoperable equipment and faster delivery of essential military tools and systems. Delegates emphasised that buying together helps cut costs and reduce duplication.
EDA Chief Executive André Denk highlighted the need for both immediate expansion and long-term innovation in the EU defence sector. “The EU’s defence industry must both expand swiftly today and innovate for tomorrow. Through cross-border partnerships, long-term commitments and strong financing, we can give industry the confidence to invest and build the capacity needed to protect EU citizens and our values,” he said.
National Armament Directors, who oversee their countries’ defence procurement strategies, expressed support for EDA’s role in enabling cooperation among Member States. They underlined the potential of the EU’s new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan programme to advance collaborative defence projects.
Directors also discussed the importance of consistent planning, stable investment, and close engagement with industry to support robust and scalable defence manufacturing. This approach was seen as critical to ensuring reliable supply and long-term readiness.
Another key issue raised was the urgent need to reinforce Europe’s defence supply chains to improve operational resilience and strategic autonomy. Directors warned of the risks associated with dependency on non-EU suppliers and called for diversified sourcing, innovation in materials, recycling, and strategic stockpiling.
Kim Jesper Jørgensen, National Armament Director at the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, stressed the role of early coordination. “Effective pre-planning is key if we want to strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base and make joint procurement a reality,” he said.
He further added: “By increasing the visibility of our national procurement plans and aligning requirements and timelines, we can identify real opportunities for joint acquisitions. At the same time, we need to secure access to sufficient production capacity and critical materials. Strengthening these areas will be essential to ensuring that our armed forces can sustain operations and maintain critical capabilities in times of crisis.”
Delegates acknowledged the value of EDA’s expertise in capability planning, joint acquisition support, and fostering coherence across national defence efforts. They stressed the importance of coordination to avoid gaps and overlap in equipment, training, and force structure.
Participants welcomed EDA’s ongoing work on mapping supply chains and preparing for industrial resilience. They noted its alignment with broader EU efforts, including the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Net-Zero Industry Act, viewing these combined measures as vital for bolstering Europe’s defence autonomy in a fast-changing security environment.
Source: European Defence Agency (EDA).
