BRUSSELS — The European Commission announced on Friday a proposal for five significant cross-border defence initiatives, paving the way for those projects to tap into European Union funding.
The initiatives, designated as European Defence Projects of Common Interest, span a wide range of security domains. Among them is a drone and counter-drone program that brings together 26 EU member nations along with Norway and Ukraine, as well as an Eastern Flank Watch initiative involving 13 EU members, Norway, and Ukraine.
The remaining three proposals cover integrated maritime and seabed defence, air and missile defence combined with early warning systems, and a space-based defence program.
To qualify for the European Defence Projects of Common Interest designation, a project must be structured to strengthen innovation and boost the competitiveness of Europe’s defence industrial base, while also working to reduce fragmentation across the market.
Through the EU’s European Defence Industry Programme, a total of 325 million euros — roughly $372 million — has been allocated for these designated projects, with the possibility of additional funding down the road.
The five proposals still require formal approval from the Council of the EU before moving forward.
