On 18 April 2019, the European Parliament endorsed the provisional agreement reached by the co-legislators on the future European Defence Fund (EDF) for the next budget period 2021-2027.
The European Defence Fund foresees a package worth €13 billion for the period 2021-2027 which will contribute to Europe’s strategic autonomy in protecting and defending its citizens. It will coordinate, supplement and amplify national investments in defence. The Fund will promote cooperation among Member States in producing state-of-the-art and interoperable defence technology and equipment. It will strongly encourage participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in collaborative projects and foster breakthrough innovation solutions.
As highlighted by Mrs Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner of the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs “The endorsement of the European Defence Fund will allow us to significantly step up our defence cooperation and allow Europe to become a stronger security provider for our citizens. The European Defence Fund marks a big step forward in European defence matters. It will strengthen European cooperation by encouraging joint investments and technological innovation in the defence sector. […] By promoting a strong and innovative defence industry, the Fund will strengthen EU’s strategic autonomy and technological leadership in defence.”