Europe Aims for Strategic Autonomy in Defence Sector

The EU aims to reduce its long-term defence dependency on the US while maintaining a strong transatlantic partnership, according to EU officials. The European Commission is focusing on enhancing the EU's defence industry independence, with plans to require a significant portion of defence components to be sourced within the bloc for funding eligibility. Despite internal disagreements on the conditions for foreign access to EU defence funds, the EU is not adopting a protectionist stance, allowing member states to procure from non-EU suppliers. The European Defence Industry Programme is under negotiation, with a goal to finalize it by year-end.