Publication date: January 28, 2025
The European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) is a strategic initiative of the European Union aimed at strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base (European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). EDIP is a continuation of previous programmes such as the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP). This programme was developed in response to the growing security challenges in Europe and the need to increase the strategic autonomy of the European Union. EDIP supports the development of advanced defence technologies, increases the competitiveness of the defence sector in the EU and promotes cross-border cooperation between Member States in the field of military research, development and production. Its overarching objective is to create conditions for increasing the defence capabilities of EU countries while ensuring more efficient use of financial and technological resources.
The assumptions of EDIP are:
– Increasing the competitiveness of the EU defence technological and industrial base – EDIP focuses on improving the innovation and technological capabilities of European enterprises.
– Improving cooperation between EU Member States in the development of military technology – the programme promotes joint research, development and production projects, which helps avoid duplication of efforts and helps increase the interoperability of defence systems.
– Ensuring the unification of the defence industries of the Member States through long-term planning and investment – one of the key objectives of the programme is to unify technologies and standards that enable the effective operation of the Member States’ forces in joint operations and missions.
– Strengthening Crisis Response Capabilities – EDIP supports the development of industrial capabilities that are key to ensuring rapid response to security threats, both regionally and globally.
The European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) isa collection of companies, research institutions and other entities located in the EU Member States that participate in the production, research and development of defence technologies and equipment. Its aim is to ensure the European Union’s strategic independence in the field of defence by developing and maintaining industrial and technological capabilities enabling the production of modern military equipment.
With the aim of long-term strengthening of production readiness and supply potential from the EU technological and industrial base, the focus is on:
– Development of production and technological infrastructure – Investments are planned in industrial infrastructure and in research and development of technologies that are crucial for building modern defence capabilities.
– Ensuring continuity of supply – The program places particular emphasis on a sustainable and reliable supply chain that will allow for the rapid delivery of key military equipment in crisis situations.
– Resource diversification and flexibility – the EU aims to reduce dependence on non-European suppliers, which will increase resilience to disruptions in the global supply chain.
– Financing innovation – EDIP provides support for research into advanced military technologies, such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and modern communication systems.
EDTIB covers companies and institutions located in EU Member States and associated countries such as Norway. To become part of the EDTIB, companies must meet certain criteria, such as:
– EU registration: The company’s headquarters must be in one of the EU Member States or associated countries.
– Production capabilities: The company must have the technologies and resources to implement defense-related projects.
– Compliance with EU regulations: The company must comply with EU quality and safety standards.
Non-EU entities can participate in projects financed by EDIP only to a limited extent and if specific requirements are met, e.g. by participating in consortia with EU entities.
The legal basis for the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), the predecessor of the EDIP, is Regulation (EU) 2018/1092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018. Work is currently underway on a new regulation establishing the EDIP, which is intended to ensure the continuation and expansion of support for the European defence industry in the period 2025-2027.