EU Approves First Pan-European Defence Program with Support for Ukraine

The European Parliament has approved the first EU-wide defense industrial program with support for Ukraine.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Deutsche Welle.

At the Strasbourg session, MEPs endorsed the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) with a budget of €1.5 billion, of which €300 million will be allocated to create the “Ukraine Support Instrument.”

This instrument will help modernize Ukraine’s defense industry, facilitate its integration with the European defense sector, and enable Ukraine to participate in joint European defense projects. Participation in such projects requires at least four EU countries to be involved.

French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann emphasized that Ukrainian resistance represents Europe’s first line of defense, and Ukraine’s defense industry is its “spearhead.”

“Through EDIP and the Ukraine Support Instrument within it, we will strengthen cooperation between our industrial base and Ukraine’s. This is an important step for Ukraine and an important step for Europe,” he said.

EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius explained that the new program allows the procurement of defense equipment in Ukraine, with Ukraine, and for Ukraine.
It also enables Ukrainian military innovations to be integrated into the European defense industry, contributing to a stronger joint air defense shield and enhancing the EU’s overall defense capabilities.

The program follows the “Buy European” principle, meaning funding will only be provided if components from third countries do not exceed 35% of the total cost.

The law now needs to be officially approved by all EU member states, after which the program will enter into force and begin implementation.

Ukraine hailed the European Commission’s new defense roadmap as a milestone for strengthening Europe’s long-term security strategy. Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal highlighted the plan’s focus on countering aerial, maritime, and space threats while boosting Europe’s overall defense readiness through 2030.

The roadmap emphasizes enhancing technological innovation, industrial interoperability, and coordinated defense planning across EU member states. Shmyhal described it as a decisive move toward a more resilient and strategically united Europe.

As The Gaze reported earlier, on October 1, European Union leaders convened in Copenhagen for an informal summit focused on bolstering Europe’s collective defence and reaffirming long-term support for Ukraine as it resists Russia’s invasion.

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