The EU Defense Program provides for an instrument to support Ukraine

The relevant committees of the European Parliament have supported a bill aimed at strengthening the European defense industry, increasing weapons production, and increasing support for Ukraine, writes dw.com.

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The European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on Security and Defence have adopted their legislative position on the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP), the EP press service reported on Thursday, April 24. The new programme is expected to focus on improving arms supplies, increasing production capacity and reducing lead times for defence products.

Brussels also expects that with the help of EDIP it will be possible to implement the principle of "buy European" in the arms market. Because the program will finance only those products that are 70% composed of components originating from the EU and associated countries. And if funds are to be received under this program for joint European defense projects, then they must include at least six EU member states or four countries that are directly facing a high risk of military threats. MEPs are in favor of Ukraine being able to participate in such projects.

Military support for Ukraine

Within the framework of the EDIP regulation, MEPs approved the Instrument for Support to Ukraine, which will contribute to the modernization of the Ukrainian defense industry and its integration into the EDIP. According to MEPs, this EU financial support will promote direct investments in the Ukrainian defense industry and increase the EU's purchases of weapons produced in Ukraine, including those intended for Ukraine itself.

According to the rapporteur of the Committee on Security and Defence, French Socialist MEP Raphael Glucksmann, the European Parliament “has in record time built a broad majority in support of strengthening Europe’s defence-industrial base.” “Faced with the threats from Russia, we must act with unity, ambition and determination. Investing together, developing important military capabilities together and coordinating our spending efforts at EU level is the only way forward. It is time to put an end to our dependence on external actors,” Glucksmann said.

The European Commission made an official proposal for the creation and regulation of the European Defence Industrial Programme in March last year, allocating €1,5 billion to the programme's budget. This document prescribes the mechanism for implementing the EU's Common Defence Strategy and is a legislative initiative, therefore it must be agreed by the European Parliament and the European Council.

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