Following a call for expressions of interest launched for Member States in the spring, on Friday 3 July the European Commission unveiled a list of five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs).
With an overall budget of €325 million from the EDIP programme (see EUROPE 13839/13), these five projects focus on the following priority areas: - drones and counter-drone systems; - maritime and seabed defence; - space; - air and missile defence; - strengthening security along the EU’s eastern flank.
According to our information, nine projects had been highlighted during the call for expressions of interest.
On average, 18 Member States are taking part in each EDPCI project (Belgium said it was taking part in four projects), and Ukraine is taking part in four of the five selected projects. The Commission will support the Member States in coordinating their implementation. The breakdown of the allocated budget will be clarified in September.
The Council of the EU will now discuss the objectives and formal establishment of the projects, the participating countries and the estimated investments that these projects should generate.
After 2027, the EU budget could provide additional funding to the five projects through the future European Competitiveness Fund.
See the draft EU Council decision: https://aeur.eu/f/mpw ; and its annex: https://aeur.eu/f/mpx (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion with Camille-Cerise Gessant)