The EU Council formally approved five common defence projects on September 28 after an earlier Commission proposal and ambassadorial endorsement. They cover drones, maritime and seabed security, space, air and missile defence, and the eastern flank. Approval makes them eligible for programme funding, but does not mean that equipment has been built or deployed. The decision moves a specific list from proposal to adoption.
Geopolitics··Evening
Council adopts a five-project list
The Council of the European Union formally approved five European Defence Projects of Common Interest on September 28. Brussels outlet Eunews reported the same approval and capability areas. The projects address drones and counter-drone systems, maritime and seabed security, space, air and missile defence, and the eastern flank. They fall under the European Defence Industry Programme. The decision turns a specific proposed list into an adopted one and makes the projects eligible for programme support. It does not mean their systems have been built, tested or placed in service.[1], [2]
Five different capability gaps
DECODER aims to develop drones and means to counter them. Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence is intended to help participating countries detect and respond to threats at sea and beneath it. The SPACE project covers missile-launch warning, satellite communications, intelligence and surveillance, and replacement launches if needed. EU-FIAMD aims to connect early warning with coordinated air and missile defence command. Eastern Flank Watch addresses land, air, sea and cyber needs along the participating countries’ eastern borders. These are planned areas of work within the approved list, not a report of fielded equipment.[1]
Approval follows two earlier steps
The European Commission requested proposals from member states in February, received nine and proposed five in July. Member-state ambassadors endorsed the list on September 16. The Council’s September 28 action is the formal adoption after those earlier steps. Initial implementation can draw on programme funding, and the Council says later funding may be possible through a future fund. It did not announce a final cost or completion date for every project. Ambassadors endorsed the list earlier; the Council’s new decision makes the projects eligible for support.[1]
