February 23, 2025

The following is a press release:

EU funding should help areas exposed to specific risks and revitalise regional defence industry ecosystems.

As geopolitical and economic challenges persist in the European Union, increased funding is essential to bolster the EU’s defence industry, particularly as the European Commission prepares its proposal for the long-term budget beyond 2027. However, this should not be at the detriment of a strong Cohesion Policy. This is the main message of an opinion led by rapporteur Fernando Lopez Miras, President of Murcia, adopted during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 20 February.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, EU leaders have acknowledged the pressing need for the EU to strengthen its readiness to defend its territory. In the opinion drafted by Mr Lopez Miras, on 'A strong European Defence Industry', CoR members urge better collaboration with the sub-national level to strengthen existing regional clusters and the European Defence supply chains. The opinion also urged to allocate dedicated resources to defence-related initiatives without undermining Cohesion Policy, which is critical for promoting territorial, economic, and social development. CoR members asked for more involvement and the engagement of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group which will be vital to tackle current challenges and threats, and this means financing tools to boost the defence industry.

CoR members voiced support for the European Defence Industry Strategy (EDIS) and the accompanying proposal for a European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), but they called for regional and local authorities to be more deeply involved, since they have responsibilities for planning and land use for building facilities crucial for defence production and testing. CoR members stressed the importance of a strong and resilient EU defence supply chain across all regions, pressing for particular attention to be paid to regions most exposed to conventional or non-conventional military threats. They highlighted the need to reinforce the defence capabilities of regions located in Member States with external borders, particularly border regions that have historically significant defence clusters and critical logistics infrastructure that could be vulnerable to disruption.

CoR members also called for greater support for regional innovation and business development initiatives that mobilise SMEs, drive innovation, and promote dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military needs. They emphasised the importance of public-private collaboration, research, and education in enhancing Europe’s defence capabilities. The CoR also urged the Commission to ensure that defence industry support programmes involve comprehensive measures to revitalise regional clusters, especially those specialising in defence-related industries and critical technologies like semiconductors and electronics. Finally, looking ahead to the next long-term budget of the EU - the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - the CoR requested a significant budget for defence but using additional resources. They emphasised that an increase in the defence budget should not come at the expense of other EU support policies that underpin the EU’s prosperity model.

During his speech at the inaugural plenary session on 19 February, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, made clear that cohesion must be at the core of Europe's defence and security, ensuring that investments strengthen both regional development and unity. He emphasised that a truly resilient European defence requires an integrated approach, where economic growth, job creation, and territorial cohesion go hand in hand.

Quote

Rapporteur Fernando López Miras (ES/EPP), President of Murcia region: "European regions have much to contribute to a strong security and defence policy in the European Union, a goal that strengthens democracy. The main asset is businesses, particularly SMEs, which need resolute support to integrate into European supply chains and to internationalise."

More information

On 5 March 2024, the European Commission and the High Representative presented the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) to strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and achieve defence industrial readiness. The EDTIB is a competitive global player capable of producing world-class advanced systems.

On 16 May 2024, the European Commission announced that as a result of the 2023 calls for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF), €1,031 million of EU funding will support 54 joint European defence research and development projects. The selected projects will support technological excellence across a wide range of defence capabilities in critical areas, including cyber defence, ground, air and naval combat, protection of space-based assets or chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence. They will contribute to the EU's capability priorities, like better situational awareness to ensure access to space, and to technologies for a future main battle tank.

Contact

Theresa Sostmann

Tel: +32 475999415

Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu

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The European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 27 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 329 members and 329 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities. Click here for more details on your national delegation.