The European Union has proposed new amendments to funding programs to stimulate investments in the defence industry. This aims to enable faster and more flexible investments in the European defence base (EDTIB). The changes seek to enhance the development of defence capabilities and streamline access to EU funds for defence projects.
The proposal extends the reach of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) to defence technologies and products. This supports the development of advanced technologies essential for the EUs defence preparedness. Extensions of STEP are expected to boost investments in critical technologies under the EU budget.
Through the Horizon Europe regulation, the scope of the European Innovation Council (EIC) will expand to include start-ups working on dual-use and defence-related innovations. The aim is to foster a dynamic innovation ecosystem.
The Digital Europe Programme (DEP) will also expand to include dual-use applications. This provides crucial support for defence technologies, particularly in the development of AI Gigafactories.
The regulation introduces additional flexibility in using EU funding to strengthen a robust European defence industry. It includes a landing clause within both the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP).
Finally, support for military mobility and dual-use digital infrastructure is enhanced through changes to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Next Steps
This package of proposed amendments will complement the Omnibus Defence Simplification Package, expected to be presented by the Commission in June 2025. It aims to enable faster and more efficient defence investment and cooperation among Member States.
Background
This initiative aligns with the objectives of the joint White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030. It sets a clear pathway for the EU to support the development of the defence capabilities needed to protect its citizens.