Can the EU become a Defence Customer in its own right?

The European Union’s (EU) defence industrial policy has been in a state of flux since Russia
attacked Ukraine. The EU now seems destined to move beyond the role of mere industrial
sponsor, to that of defence customer. The Commission’s new proposals contained in the EDIP
certainly point in this direction. At this stage, however, the EU cannot yet be considered as a
defence customer in its own right. It is certainly moving towards this role, but it has not yet
assumed it fully. The EU cannot buy or stock military components or equipment on behalf of
the Member States. Could it do so one day? And what does it need to do so?

In order to answer these questions, this note will first outline how EU industrial policy has
evolved not only in the military field, but also in strategic civilian and dual-use sectors.
Secondly, the innovations proposed by EDIP will be reviewed. In its conclusions, the paper will
finally examine the real room for maneuver that the European treaties leave the Union in its
evolution towards a possible role of defence customer.