On Friday 10 May, the European Commission published guidelines on cooperative defence and security procurement between Member States to help them consistently apply the relevant Directive (2009/81/EC).
The objective is to facilitate the participation of Member States in collaborative defence projects under the future European Defence Fund 2020-2027 (see EUROPE 12198/22) and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) (see EUROPE 12025/19).
The guidelines clarify the conditions under which cooperation projects must be compatible with EU rules, including the application of the exclusion for cooperation programmes based on research and development activities carried out by at least two Member States.
The issues of contract award procedures are addressed via (or not) a central purchasing body. Several types of scenarios are considered: when a Member State initiates a project, when a country wants to join a project, when non-Member States are involved. Several phases are also involved (development, marketing).
The document also specifies the procedures and information that Member States must communicate to the Commission when concluding a programme.
To consult the guidelines: https://bit.ly/2VthWbL. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)