The European Commission is allocating €325 million for five defence projects in which Ukraine is also participating

The European Commission is allocating €325 million to support the creation and implementation of five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs), with Ukraine participating in four of them.

This was reported by Yevropeyska Pravda with reference to the European Commission press service.

These projects focus on five priority areas: drones and counter-drone systems, maritime and seabed defence, space, air and missile defence, and strengthening security along the EU’s eastern flank.

“These five projects focus on the areas where we need to move faster to build a stronger and more resilient European defence,” said Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius.

In total, the European Commission will provide financial support for the following projects:

• The European Drone and Counter-Drone Initiative (DECODER) will help European countries create, scale up, and implement the use of drones as well as technologies to counter hostile unmanned systems, with the aim of addressing critical capability gaps among participating countries.
• The Integrated Maritime and Seabed Defence system (IMSD) will create an integrated and interoperable defence system enabling participating countries to detect, deter, and respond to threats at sea and on the seabed.
• The SPACE project envisages the deployment of early warning satellites for detecting missile launches, satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance, as well as a precise positioning and timing system. The project will also improve navigation warfare capabilities and the rapid launch of replacement satellites when needed.
• The EU Federated Integrated Air and Missile Defence, including Early Warning (EU-FIAMD), will provide member states with a collective and effective integrated air and missile defence system, including early warning of approaching threats and coordinated command systems.
• Eastern Flank Watch (EFW) will enhance security along the eastern border of participating countries, covering land, air, maritime, cyber, and other domains.

The projects are designed to cover the entire defence capability development cycle: from creation through to deployment and operation.

On average, 18 member states are participating in each project, and Ukraine is taking part in four of the five. The Commission is expected to participate in the EDPCI projects, provide financial support, and continue to help member states coordinate their implementation.

The funds are being allocated under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), with a budget of €1.5 billion.

Author: Olha Romanska

Source: Yevropeyska Pravda