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[INTERNATIONAL] · Norway, Ukraine, Ireland · 20 sources

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European Union approves first five joint defense projects

The European Union Council has approved the first five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) to bolster the continent's defense readiness and industrial capacity. These collaborative initiatives are part of the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), which has a total budget of 1.5 billion euros. An initial 325 million euros has been allocated to launch these specific projects.

The five approved projects target critical strategic areas:

1. Drone and Counter-Drone European Resolve (DECODER): focusing on the development and deployment of drone technologies and countermeasures. 2. Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence (IMSD): aimed at protecting maritime environments and subsea infrastructure like cables. 3. SPACE: enhancing space capabilities, including early-warning satellites for missile detection and satellite communications. 4. EU Federated Integrated Air and Missile Defence: establishing coordinated air and missile defense systems. 5. Eastern Flank Watch (EFW): strengthening security across land, air, sea, and cyber domains along Europe's eastern borders.

Irish Defense Minister Helen McEntee noted that the projects demonstrate concrete cooperation among EU Member States. The initiatives also involve close collaboration with partners Norway and Ukraine, with Ukraine participating in four of the five projects.

Entities

Andrius Kubilius · European Commission · European Council · European Defence Industry Programme · European Union · European Union Council · Helen McEntee · Norway · Ukraine

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about 6 hours ago