PESCO - Defence Industry Europe

The case for Europe to do more for its own defence and security has steadily strengthened —dramatically so after Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Yet the projects developed within Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) have often been misunderstood. They cannot, and do not seek to, fill all the EU armed forces’ current capability gaps. Project progress is not uniform. Yet many are advancing towards full operational status, as the latest annual review shows.

Fostering a culture of collaboration: PESCO projects are ambitious, inclusive

PESCO commits its members to developing defence capabilities together, and in doing so helps build a genuine European military community. Comprising more than 60 EU defence projects across the operational domains, the cooperation is underpinned by the search for a common strategic culture as part of a broader effort to bolster Europe’s defence, complementing …

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Two critical projects in the maritime domain, launched under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), have plotted a clear way ahead on the future development of their projects. The Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection (CSIP) and Essential Elements of European Escorts (4E) projects recently held meetings at the European Defence Agency (EDA), bringing together Member States and industry representatives to shape the future development of these projects, both deemed key for future European maritime capabilities.

PESCO: two new maritime projects launched

Sea, EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

Two critical projects in the maritime domain, launched under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), have plotted a clear way ahead on the future development of their projects.

The EU emphasises that the war in Ukraine highlighted the key role of space-based connectivity in the conduct of military operations (Clapp & Evroux, 2023). In the case of the war in Ukraine, the use of satellites for observation and transmission of information proved crucial. Russia launched cyberattacks to weaken space-based assets used by Ukraine, while an hour before the invasion a multi-faceted attack was launched against the private satellite provider Viasat’s KA-SAT network, which provides high-speed satellite internet coverage for Europe. The attack intended to weaken Ukraine's command and control capabilities. Ukraine's military capabilities are also boosted by Starlink, which gives artillery forces information that soldiers upload via encrypted chat.

Europe’s future capabilities in space and in the higher atmosphere

Important, EU / By Defence Industry Europe

HYDEF hypersonic interceptors, satellite resilience, and space commands.

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.

The EU HYDEF project, which focuses on a concept definition for a European interceptor is supported with EUR 100 million from the European Defence Fund (EDF).

European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor (EU HYDEF) takes off

Air, EU / By Defence Industry Europe

The EU HYDEF project, which focuses on a concept definition for a European interceptor is supported with EUR 100 million from the European Defence Fund (EDF).

This initial phase of the project, with a focus on conceptual studies up to the initial design of a Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC), has a EUR 60 million backing from the European Defence Fund (EDF) in the form of grants

European Patrol Corvette European Defence Fund project: launch of first phase

Sea, EU / By Defence Industry Europe

The project “European Patrol Corvette” (EPC), launched in the context of PESCO, will focus on conceptual studies up to the initial design, and use as a reference corvette class vessel.

On the 24th October 2023, with a ceremony held at OCCAR premises in Rome, OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) has signed with a Consortium, coordinated by Naviris and gathering together Fincantieri (Italy), Naval Group (France), Navantia (Spain) and other beneficiaries from Greece, Denmark and Norway all the Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette (MMPC) contractual documents for the implementation of the first phase of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project.

European Patrol Corvette project: first phase launched

Sea, EU, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

Launching of the first phase of the European Patrol Corvette project with signature of Modular and Multirole Patrol Corvette contract.

EU: defence conference calls for renewed energy in PESCO commitments and projects

EU officials call for renewed energy in PESCO commitments and projects

EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU’s flagship initiative for defence, has achieved a deepening of cooperation across all military domains.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) will support two new projects developing the next generation of systems for European defence under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) initiative. In the air domain, the Next Generation Small RPAS (NGSR) project will pave the way for an advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) prototype by 2027, while in maritime, the Essential Elements of European Escort (4E) project, sets out to identify and detail the essential elements of future surface warships within the EU from 2030 to 2045. EDA’s Steering Board recently approved the launch of specific EDA ad hoc projects for both, following a request from the participating Member States (pMS) involved.

EDA to support two further PESCO projects in the air and maritime domains

EU / By Defence Industry Europe

The European Defence Agency (EDA) will support two new projects developing the next generation of systems for European defence under PESCO initiative.

Romania has joined the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project, becoming the newest member alongside France, Greece, Italy, and Spain. The Romanian flag now appears alongside these countries on the official website of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) of the European Union.

PESCO: Romania joins European Patrol Corvette project

EU, Sea / By Defence Industry Europe

Romania has joined the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project, becoming the newest member alongside France, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

On May 23, the Council of the European Union approved 11 new defence projects under the framework of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). Among these projects is the Next Generation Medium Helicopter (NGMH), a collaborative effort aimed at establishing a dedicated forum to address operational requirements related to both upgrading existing fleets and developing the European Next Generation Rotorcraft. The initiative seeks to harmonise the needs and timelines of EU member countries regarding future rotorcraft capabilities.

PESCO: four EU countries collaborate on Next Generation Medium Helicopter

Air, EU, Important / By Defence Industry Europe

The project objective of NGMH project is to provide coherent solutions for future EU rotorcraft capabilities among the development of new platforms and the upgrade of existing ones.

Under one of the 11 new PESCO projects adopted on May 23, France and Netherlands will commence work to develop the next generation of counter-battery sensors. The joint project, named "Counter Battery Sensors" (CoBaS), is spearheaded by France.

PESCO: France and Netherlands to develop new counter-battery sensors

Land, EU / By Defence Industry Europe

Under one of the 11 new PESCO projects adopted on May 23, France and the Netherlands will commence work aimed to develop the next generation of counter-battery sensors.