What Future European Defence and Technological Industrial Basis (EDTIB) Do We Want/Need?

On March 7th, 2024, the ARES Group convened distinguished panellists in Brussels to engage in a discussion regarding the future trajectory and imperatives of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, creating a robust, competitive, and sustainable EDTIB has become paramount for long-term security and stability.

The timing of the seminar coincided with a seminal event in the European defence landscape. On March 5th, 2024, the European Commission issued a regulation proposal, the European Defence Investment Plan (EDIP), and the first ever European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS). These initiatives represented a concerted effort to transition away from short-term emergency measures towards a more enduring framework aimed at fortifying the European Union’s defence industrial readiness for the foreseeable future.

To discuss this topic, two pivotal panels grappled with distinct yet intertwined challenges. The first panel, “Building up a True Competitive Defence Industry vs. Delivering Capabilities Quickly: How to Conciliate Both Objectives?,” delved into the delicate balance required to meet both imperatives effectively. Meanwhile, the second panel, “Unpacking the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS): What Long-Term Vision and Support for the EDTIB?,” scrutinised the EDIS as a support mechanism vital for the EDTIB’s sustainability. These discussions were critical in discussing Europe’s pursuit towards a cohesive and forward-looking EDTIB…