The EU Council has approved the first five European defense projects of common interest aimed at strengthening the defense capabilities and industrial potential of EU member states.
According to Report's European bureau, citing the EU Council, the projects cover the development of drones and counter-drone systems, the protection of maritime areas and subsea infrastructure, space capabilities, air and missile defense, and enhanced security on the EU"s eastern flank.
In July, the European Commission estimated the combined investment potential of the five projects at approximately €190 billion by 2036. The largest projects are Eastern Flank Watch, with an estimated cost of €60 billion–€100 billion, and EU-FIAMD, estimated at €55 billion–€80 billion.
EU-FIAMD is aimed at creating an integrated air and missile defense system with early warning capabilities, while Eastern Flank Watch (EFW) seeks to strengthen security along the EU"s eastern borders across land, air, maritime, cyber and other domains.
The Council also approved the European Resolve (DECODER) project to develop and scale up drones and counter-drone technologies; the Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence (IMSD) project to establish an integrated maritime and seabed protection system; and the SPACE project, which provides for the development of satellites for early warning of missile launches, satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance and precision positioning systems.
All five projects are now eligible for EU funding under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). The funding will enable their initial deployment and lay the groundwork for potential further financing through the future European Competitiveness Fund.
"These projects further demonstrate the practical cooperation between EU member states to provide for our own security," Helen McEntee, Minister for Defence of Ireland, said.
The European Defence Industry Programme was adopted by the EU in 2025. It provides for the joint implementation by EU member states of major industrial defense projects that individual countries would not be able to develop effectively on their own.