Members of the European Parliament backed a report today (24th April) calling for a European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) aimed at enhancing the continent's homegrown defence capabilities. 

MEPs agreed that the EDIP, which is to allocate €1.5 billion to defence from 2025 to 2027, will only fund products where at least 70% of the components come from the EU or associated countries. 

To qualify for funding, defence projects must involve at least six EU member states, or a minimum of four if they face significant conventional military threats. MEPs also called for Ukraine’s inclusion in the programme.

Aside from providing capital, the EDIP aims to enhance the supply of weapons, ammunition, and other crisis-relevant goods by bolstering manufacturing capacities, reducing production lead times, and increasing stockpiling. 

Raphaël Glucksmann, co-rapporteur from the Committee on Security and Defence, said in a statement: 

"Faced with Russia’s threats, we must act with unity, ambition, and resolve. Investing together, developing critical military capabilities jointly, and aligning our spending efforts at EU level is the only way forward. It’s time to end our dependence on external actors. A sovereign Europe is a stronger and safer Europe, and this vote on the EDIP is a clear step in that direction."

Boosting the industrial base

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance Europe's defence readiness amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and boost the European defence technological and industrial base, which comprises multinationals, mid-caps, and over 2,000 SMEs with an estimated combined annual turnover of €70 billion.

The EDIP proposal was initially put forward in March to bridge the gap between short-term emergency measures implemented in 20023, such as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production, and the continent's more structural, long-term defence plans. 

The report was passed with 70 votes in favour and 46 against, with eight abstentions. The decision now has to by approved at the next plenary session in May.

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