Buy your guns, missiles and tanks at home, Draghi tells EU countries
The EU should push countries to buy from the bloc’s military industrial complex, Draghi said in his new report.
joint procurement
Heightened mpox vigilance urged by EU as deadly virus spreads
The virus is fast-spreading in Africa, where it has claimed more than 500 lives this year.
How to navigate Hungary’s EU presidency policy agenda like a pro
The country’s Council stint will be marked by political change in Brussels following the EU election.
Finland to receive first EU procured bird flu shots
The first batch of 640,000 doses of the adapted vaccine will be shipped as early as next week.
European Defence Agency new core tasks to include focus on military joint procurement
EU defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (28 May) are adding joint procurement to the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) tasks, despite criticism and reluctance to use the body for that purpose.
Europe’s new political consensus: We need to make more weapons
The war in Ukraine has shifted thinking — both among politicians and the public — on the need to spend more on defense.
Denmark and Sweden agree on joint Baltic defence cooperation
Denmark and Sweden have decided to strengthen their defence cooperation, including joint procurement of military equipment and cooperation in the Baltic Sea region, with Danish and Swedish defence ministers Troels Lund Poulsen and Pål Jonson signing a …
Von der Leyen wants to be a wartime president. Now she has to convince EU leaders.
Commission president wants to use a defense boost to help her get a second term.
Germany promises more artillery ammunition for Ukraine
Berlin is promising “an aid package worth almost half a billion euros.”
EU Commission announces €2 bn defence projects for armaments production, joint purchases and research
The EU’s executive announced on Friday (15 March) a series of deals and subsidised projects for the defence industry, in a bid to boost ammunition production and joint procurement to speed up deliveries to Ukraine.
EU cash for Ukraine: The bloc agrees on a €5B weapons fund
Kyiv is desperate for aid, but getting the EU deal meant having to finesse objections from France, Germany and Hungary.
Commission ready to place arms orders for member states, von der Leyen says
In a speech to the European Parliament, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pushed to prioritise “joint defence procurements” to reassure Europe’s defence industry that it will be able to find buyers for its increased production.
Europe must spend more on defense, Metsola says
The European Parliament President says the EU must ‘step up’ following Trump comments.
Europe’s arms production is in ‘deep shit,’ says Belgian ex-general
Europe’s ammo production shortfalls are a symptom of a “cultural problem” to adapt to a war-ready industry, retired general Marc Thys tells POLITICO.
EU clarifies proposed new rules for future Ukraine weapons fund
Stricter reimbursement rules for joint procurement of European-made defence equipment, and a way to work around vetoes would make deliveries to Kyiv faster and long-term, according to a document seen by Euractiv.
Lithuania asks EU not to drop ammo refunds for Ukraine
Small members would struggle to continue sending weapons to Kyiv in the absence of the EPF, Foreign Minister Landsbergis tells POLITICO.
France backtracks on EU-only ammo for Ukraine
But before Paris throws in the towel, it first wants proof that the EU will actually miss its target of sending 1 million rounds by March.
EU’s next Ukraine ammo and cash support plans stalling
The bloc pledged 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition and billions in cash.
France spins its Ukraine aid
SNEAK PEEK — The numbers show that France is a laggard when it comes to arming Ukraine, but a parliament report argues that it’s doing better than suggested. — Airbus is complaining that the German government is blocking Eurofighter sales to Saudi Arabia. — Germany spells out the details of its future troop deployment to […]
The mysterious case of the MEP lovers and the disappearing EU pharma report
A European Parliament study that centers on the delicate topic of incentives for drug companies was published, then pulled offline again, pending further queries from MEPs.
EU leaders talk Ukraine, Middle East, MFF
SNEAK PEEK — European leaders meet today to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East and the EU’s long-term budget. — EU countries account for 11.5 percent of the world’s military spending. — Ukraine announces another partnership with a German defense contractor. Good morning, and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips to jposaner@politico.eu, lkayali@politico.eu and clarson@politico.eu or follow […]
Former Estonia army chief boosts Europe’s defense industry
SNEAK PEEK — The former chief of Estonia’s defense forces, now an MEP, is working on how to help Europe’s defense industry. — France wants its security and defense think tanks to become more influential. — Germany wants to make its armed forces more attractive for women amid recruitment challenges. Good morning, and welcome to Morning […]
Breton wants more time on EU defense investment plan
SNEAK PEEK — Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton will tell the College of Commissioners today that he needs a bit more time to draft up a long-term financing scheme for Europe’s military. — Retired U.S. General Ben Hodges sees significant progress being made by Ukraine, despite the fact they’ve not gotten long-range strike capabilities from […]
Israel’s defense minister dials into NATO ministerial
SNEAK PEEK — Today is Israel’s big day at the NATO summit, but on Wednesday Ukraine got to press its case for more aid. — NATO ministers will discuss what happened to a Finnish-Estonian gas pipeline, with suspicions that Moscow may be involved. — The French and Armenian defense ministers will talk, as Paris sticks […]
Top EU official wants European aircraft carrier and missile shield
‘With the return of high-intensity conflict on the European continent, we have no other choice,’ says French Commissioner Thierry Breton.
Kyiv worries war in Israel will undermine its own fight
Presented by ASD. View in your browser or listen to audio By JOSHUA POSANER with LAURA KAYALI, CALEB LARSON, VERONIKA MELKOZEROVA and STUART LAU PRESENTED BY SNEAK PEEK — Kyiv is worried that war in Israel will shift the spotlight away from its fight against Russia but the U.S. insists it can keep both allies supplied. […]
The EU’s ‘set menu’ membership model is failing. It’s time for an ‘à la carte’ approach | Alberto Alemanno
EU leaders are pondering the union’s future expansion in the east – and realising that only a radical rethink can make it workFor the first time in two decades, EU governments could soon be ready to embark on reforms that would make the EU as we know i…
Consensus builds for EU bank to finance shells and tanks
The war in Ukraine has changed Germany’s thinking after it previously opposed the idea.
Europe drawing up years-long mRNA COVID vaccines tender
Multiple countries have confirmed interest to start talks but timing is now paramount for winter.
France and Germany clash (again) on buying US arms
Berlin’s defense minister wants US air defense systems because it’s faster, Paris wants to build in Europe.
When in doubt, Europe scuttles back to euro-acronyms
The bloc’s leaders can give themselves a pat on the back for their military support of Ukraine, but they should avoid the old habit of coming up with a new set of acronyms and thinking that fixes problems.
European defence industry strategy in the works, von der Leyen confirms
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a push on Wednesday for a fully-fledged European defence industry strategy but fell short of sending any clear signal to arms makers across the bloc.
European Parliament adopts joint defence procurement fund
The European Parliament approved the fund to incentivise joint procurement of arms for Ukraine, passing the last text to boost defence production in the EU, closing a year of intense negotiations and the Commission’s first push ever in helping member s…