EU Approves €300M for First-Ever Joint Defense Procurement

The European Union has approved funding for five projects to support defense procurement in its member states for the first time in history.

Each of the five selected projects is being implemented under the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA).

The total budget of the program is €300 million, and each of the funding areas will receive €60 million. The five selected projects represent a total procurement value of more than €11 billion.

Military servicemen of European countries with the EU flag. Photo from open sources.

In this way, the European Union ensures more efficient use of funds through the mechanism of joint large-scale procurement. In addition, such joint projects increase the interoperability of EU member states’ forces.

“The clearer prospects and greater predictability that come with larger contracts will strengthen European industry and allow it to adapt its production capacity to Europe’s defense needs. Overall, joint procurement will strengthen the defense capabilities of EU member states,” the European Commission stated.

In addition to the selected projects, other promising areas were submitted. They have been added to the reserve list so that they can be identified for potential funding in the future.

The European Commission emphasizes that most of the selected projects also involve the purchase of defense products intended for Ukraine, including air defense systems and ammunition.

Illustrative photo of the flags of the EU and Ukraine. Photo from open sources.

Joint procurement of air defense assets

EU countries are leading two projects to strengthen joint capabilities in air and missile defense.

The Mistral project supports the joint procurement of air defense systems of the same name by nine member states.

Another project, JAMIE (Joint Air and Missile Defense Initiative for Europe), involves the joint procurement of IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense systems by six EU member states.

IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system. Photo credits: Diehl Defense

Joint procurement of armored vehicles and ammunition

EDIRPA also finances the purchase of Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers for the armed forces of Finland, Latvia, Estonia and Denmark.

Two other projects support the joint procurement of different types of 155 mm artillery ammunition, under the CPoA 155 mm and HE 155 mm projects.

Recently, it was reported that former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö called on the European Union to spend 20 percent of its budget on defense within 7 years.