EU rolls out five major defence projects to boost military capabilities

The European Commission announced the launch of five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) aimed at developing advanced military technologies across the bloc. The initiatives target five critical areas – space operations, air‑defence and anti‑missile systems, maritime security, drone and counter‑drone technologies, and reinforcement of the EU’s eastern flank.

Total investment is projected at around €190 billion by 2036, with an initial €325 million allocated from the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) to jump‑start the projects. The programmes are expected to involve an average of 18 member states each, with Norway and Ukraine participating in four of the five initiatives. The Commission will monitor progress and the Council must formally adopt the projects before funding can be fully disbursed. The effort is presented as a key step toward greater strategic autonomy for the EU and to strengthen collective security, including support for Ukraine.