Council Conclusions Implementation: Way Forward

The European Council of December 2013 has provided clear taskings for the European Defence Agency. Their implementation in the areas of capability development, support to industry and enhanced defence cooperation will be the Agency’s top priority for 2014.

Capability development

The endorsement of four proposed capability programmes on Air-to-Air Refuelling, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Governmental Satellite Communications and Cyber Defence is an important boost for European defence cooperation. The programmes will contribute to filling critical capability gaps identified during recent operations; and they should deliver – through cooperation – high-tech capabilities that no Member State can afford on its own. The associated roadmaps provide clear instructions on time schedules for each of the programmes.

Support to industry

Heads of State and Government made clear that a strong European defence needs to be underpinned by a healthy defence industry. What industry needs above all is concrete programmes and the timely implementation of the four capability programmes will be of direct benefit for them.

EDA will increase its cooperation with the European Commission in order to maximise access for Member States to existing EU instruments particularly in the field of dual-use research. The Council acknowledged the importance of SMEs for the defence supply chain, as a source of innovation and a key enabler for competitiveness; by implementing its Action Plan on SMEs, EDA actively supports defence SMEs in their interactions with the European Commission and its existing instruments, improves information sharing about business opportunities, and enhances defence SME market conditions.

EDA’s enhanced Framework Arrangement on Security of Supply is an important tool for the development of long-term planning and cooperation, and for the functioning of the internal market for defence. EDA will use the experience gained in supporting Member States and industry in improving cross-border cooperation, associated measures and tools to assist the European Commission in developing a roadmap for a comprehensive EU-wide Security of Supply regime.

Standardisation and certification

The European Council has also asked for standards and certification procedures for defence equipment to reduce costs, harmonise demand and enhance interoperability. EDA and the Commission are tasked to prepare a roadmap for the development of defence industrial standards by mid-2014. A first conference to help preparing this roadmap is organised by the Agency in mid-March. Building on the work of EDA’s Military Airworthiness Forum which has already produced a series of harmonised military airworthiness requirements, the Agency – together with the Commission and Member States – will develop options for lowering the costs of military certification, including by increasing mutual recognition between EU Member States.

Long-term cooperation

The European Council made a clear case for increased defence cooperation and welcomed the progress achieved by the Agency’s Code of Conduct on Pooling & Sharing. Heads of State and Government asked for a policy framework to foster more systematic and long term cooperation by the end of 2014. At the same time, the positive example of the European Air Transport Command was highlighted and the Agency will study in which areas this model could be replicated. Finally, financial incentives for cooperation such as non-market distorting fiscal measures as well as ways to more effectively and efficiently cooperate in pooled procurement projects will be further developed.