EU - Defence Industry Europe

Since the early 2000s, the Commission has attempted to boost joint capability R&D through the provision of EU funding. These efforts have led to the launch of the PADR first and then of the EDF. As a result, the defence industry has progressively increased its lobbying towards EU institutions, particularly the Commission. Defence companies have attempted to promote their interests through both formal and informal channels. At the same time, the Commission itself has regularly included industrial representatives within expert groups tasked with driving the conception and implementation of EU defence initiatives.

European defence industry lobbying in Brussels

EU, Top, Uncategorized / By Defence Industry Europe

European defence industry companies have attempted to promote their interests through both formal and informal channels.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen made a call for Europe to assume what she called “strategic responsibility” in defence matters, amidst a changing and more pressing strategic environment in Europe.

Ursula von der Leyen makes call for powering up European defence

EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen made a call for Europe to assume what she called “strategic responsibility” in defence matters.

Full production has begun on the six Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites at Airbus’ site in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with the arrival of the first satellite Flight Model structure from Beyond Gravity in Zurich. After initial preparation the panels will be dispatched to other Airbus sites before final integration and testing at Friedrichshafen. The Galileo G2 satellites are scheduled for launch in the coming years to support the initial deployment and validation of the G2 System.

Airbus starts Galileo Second Generation satellite production

EU, Space/C4ISR, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “After the successful design phase we are now kicking off production in earnest of the state-of-the-art Galileo G2 satellites. Our teams in Friedrichshafen are working with engineers across Europe to meet the challenging schedule and finalise these sophisticated satellites which will further improve the global …

Airbus starts Galileo Second Generation satellite production Read More »

The European Union is running late on its promise to deliver one million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine within 12 months, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday.

EU behind on 1-million-shell target for Ukraine, top official says

EU, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

EU states decided to provide Ukraine with the shells until March 2024 to support the country in its defence against Russia, but only about 300,000 shells have been delivered so far. Fulfilling the pledge was a “challenge,” Michel said. “We are working to get 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine,” he said. …

EU behind on 1-million-shell target for Ukraine, top official says Read More »

The EU should strive towards a fully-fledged ‘European Defence Union’, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told the European Defence Agency’s annual conference.

Ursula von der Leyen unveils plans for defence industrial strategy

EU, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

The EU should strive towards a fully-fledged ‘European Defence Union’, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told the European Defence Agency’s annual conference.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has published its annual Defence Data report for 2022, for the first-time detailing defence spending from all EU Member States. At a record €240 billion, 2022 European defence spending again increased by 6% on the previous year, marking the eighth year of consecutive growth. 20 of the 27 EU Member States increased defence expenditure, with six increasing spending by over 10%.

Record high European defence spending boosted by procurement of new equipment

EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

At a record €240 billion, 2022 European defence spending again increased by 6% on the previous year, marking the eighth year of consecutive growth.

Finland provides defence materiel for the training of Ukrainian soldiers in the EUMAM Ukraine operation. On 21 April 2023, the President of Finland decided on the matter on the proposal of the Government.

EUMAM Ukraine: EU greenlights further funding for training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

The Council of the European Union decided to provide additional funding for training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

EU defence industry, SMEs and research entities submitteda record high number of proposals at yesterday’s call closure. 236 proposals will compete for funding worth €1.2 billion for collaborative EU defence R&D projects. This is the largest number of proposals received since the establishment of the Fund in 2021 and constitutes an overall 76% increase in comparison with the last year.

Record high number of proposals received in the 2023 round of the European Defence Fund

EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

236 proposals will compete for funding worth €1.2 billion for collaborative EU defence R&D projects.

NATO and the European Union (EU) are strong partners since the early 2000s. The two organisations share the same values and challenges, and have complementary roles in supporting international peace and security.

The European Union: a unique and essential partner for NATO [VIDEO]

EU, NATO, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

NATO and the European Union (EU) are strong partners since the early 2000s. The two organisations share the same values and challenges, and have complementary roles in supporting international peace and security.

In the shadow of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States are undertaking the biggest rearmament effort to take place in Europe since the 1950s. Many now call for more European cooperation on not only buying weapons together but also on building weapons together. The argument is that building weapons together will not only be cheaper but also strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) by consolidating supply in fewer producers, thereby incurring economies of scale. But how fragmented is the European defence industry in reality, and is it always better to have fewer producers of key defence systems? And what about the role of competition in driving innovation and cost control?

Building weapons together (or not). How to strengthen the European defence industry

EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

In the shadow of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU and its Member States are undertaking the biggest rearmament effort to take place in Europe since the 1950s.

The Belgian led Maritime Autonomous Systems for Mine Counter Measures (MAS MCM) project is the first PESCO project to participate in the annual Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS22) exercise.

EU assesses progress in PESCO and launches its strategic review

EU / By Defence Industry Europe

PESCO provides a framework for defence cooperation among participating member states that have entered into more binding commitments between one another.

Ukrainian state-run defence company Ukroboronprom, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities to produce 155mm artillery projectiles.

Europe struggles to keep up with ammunition production for Ukraine

Land / By Defence Industry Europe

Since the onset of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, it has become apparent that such armed conflicts lead to massive ammunition consumption, particularly in artillery.