Speech by Commissioner Kubilius in the the European Parliament Plenary Session debate on the European Defence Industry Programme and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products (‘EDIP)

President, 

Honourable Members.

We are coming close to the first anniversary of the mandate of this Commission.

And to the first anniversary of my mandate as the first ever EU Commissioner for Defence and Space.

When I look back on this first year - I call it the year when we created opportunities for defence readiness. 

Now the period of creating opportunities is over. Now is the time for delivery of defence readiness.

And the provisional agreement we are discussing today - on EDIP, the European defence industry programme - is essential for defence readiness. 

EDIP is really a pioneering programme, so I thank my predecessor Mr Breton and my Commission colleagues for their strategic judgement in designing EDIP, which was started back in 2024.

The negotiations and preparation for negotiations in the European Parliament and Council were not always easy. 

It took 1.5 year to come to agreement. Its too long from the point of view of defence readiness.

But finally, we delivered!

So I thank the rapporteurs and the shadow rapporteurs; And I thank the Polish and Danish Council Presidencies - for reaching this compromise, so important for the future of European defence. 

EDIP is a continuation of our previous success stories, our previous defence industrial policy achievements

First there was ASAP, success of the industrial program to ramp-up ammunition production: in 2022 we were able to produce only 300 thousand shells, now we are ramping up to 2 million shells annually. 

Then EDIRPA, joint procurement success. For air and missile defence, modern armed vehicles:

And now there is the next step up - EDIP, with continuation and expansion of those successful instruments and with totally new possibilities for the ramp-up of our defence industry. 

It also brings 1.2 billion in grants for European defence industry and 300 million for integration of Ukraines defence industry.

Let me remind you what EDIP is about.

First of all,  EDIP puts a premium on joint procurement.  

The more Member States buy together, strengthen supply chains together, build defence projects together, the more they can count on EU funds. 

We fund cooperation, not fragmentation! 

Second, EDIP strengthens Europes defence readiness.

We are investing in our industry, our supply chains and our jobs.
And strict ceilings: 65% of component cost must be European. 

Third, with EDIP we move from improvisation to organisation in joint development, production and procurement. 

We offer a toolbox to Member States to facilitate and strengthen their cooperation. With a legal structure that will accelerate the launch of cooperation: Called SEAP, the Structure of European Armament Programme. 

The SEAP legal entity can have benefits like: easier procurement rules; VAT exemption; borrowing in the financial markets; EU financial support. And Ukraine can take part in these entities. 

And also - with the creation of so-called European Defence Projects of Common Interest. Those will be collaborative industrial projects, developed by several Member States, with a special status, in order to support industrial projects no Member State can ever build alone, but that will protect the whole of Europe.

Here too, Ukraine can take part. For example, the projects for defence flagships mentioned in our Roadmap for defence readiness, like the Eastern Flank Watch, like the drone defence initiative, air missile defence, or space shield.

Fourth, through EDIP, the EU will set up the first ever mechanism to ensure the security of supply of defence products throughout the EU, designed to ensure timely and reliable access to defence products and components during crises. Enhancing Security of Supply to address bottlenecks in critical supply chains. Offering a toolbox of crisis response measures adapted to the nature of the crisis. 

EDIP is also introducing some new and interesting defence industrial tools like FAST - Fund to Accelerate Supply chains Transformation for SMEs and small mid-caps, European Military Sales Mechanism or Defence Industrial Readiness Pools.

Finally, EDIP supports Ukraines defence industry. 

And not only with 300 million euros.

EDIP makes it possible to procure defence equipment in, with and for Ukraine. 

EDIP allows to invest into Ukrainian industry and to support the integration of Ukrainian industry into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

EDIP allows us to inject Ukrainian military innovation into European defence industry.  

EDIP ties Ukraine structurally to our European Defence industry. 

And thats good. Ukraines defence industry needs us, but we need Ukraines defence innovations even more. 

President, 

Honourable Members, 

EDIP brings a defence industrial policy revolution.

And lays the foundations for a less fragmented, more innovative and a true European defence industry. 

That will make us stronger, more competitive and will bring jobs. A lot of new jobs.

We need EDIP to put in place our plans and proposals, which we made this year. SAFE loans. The Defence Readiness Road map. EDIP is at the heart of all of these proposals. 

As I said, now is the time for delivery. 

And without EDIP, there will be no successful delivery of our defence readiness. 

So I count on you to approve the provisional agreement. To have it formally adopted before the end of the year. 

Success of EDIP should inspire us to seek the same success with the Defence Simplification Omnibus and with the new Regulation on Military Mobility, which are still in the Parliament and in the Council!