The €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) should only fund products that include at least 70% of components produced within the EU or associated countries such as Ukraine and Norway, MEPs in the industry (ITRE) and defence (SEDE) parliamentary committees agreed on Thursday.
The Parliament’s position was adopted with 70 votes in favour, 46 against, and eight abstentions — following an unsuccessful attempt by several MEPs to postpone the vote to June in order to renegotiate the 70-30% ratio.
“It’s time to end our dependence on external actors. A sovereign Europe is a stronger and safer Europe, and this vote on the EDIP is a clear step in that direction,” said Raphaël Glucksmann (France/S&D), one of the two leading MEPs on the file.
The EU Commission initially proposed a 65% ratio for EDIP in March 2024, aiming to provide longer-term support to the bloc’s defence industry — encouraging more European purchases, boosting production, reducing fragmentation, and addressing critical capability gaps.
However, MEPs in ITRE and SEDE agreed on a higher threshold, despite internal disagreements within the European People’s Party (EPP) over the 70-30% split, amid concerns it could prevent some countries from accessing EU funds.
“Europe needs security — all of Europe — not just support for one or two of the strongest countries when it comes to the military industry,” MEP Andrzej Kalicki (Poland/EPP) told his colleagues before urging them to delay the vote.
Still, a large majority of MEPs from Renew Europe, Greens/EFA, Socialists and Democrats, and even parts of the far-right Patriots for Europe group backed the move to reduce the EU’s heavy dependencies in the defence sector.
From February 2022 to June 2023, 78% of member states’ defence acquisitions originated outside the EU. According to a study by the European Parliament Research Service, increased European cooperation could save between €24.5 billion and €75.5 billion annually.
“The European Parliament will insist on establishing a strong regulation that incentivises EU member states to boost joint procurement to build common European defence capabilities — stronger, strategic, efficient, and united,” said MEP Marie‑Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew Europe/Germany), chair of the Parliament’s security and defence committee.
MEPs also called for greater funding for the programme and agreed to strengthen cooperation and procurement with the Ukrainian defence industry.
The Parliament’s position must still be approved by the full plenary during the next session in Strasbourg, scheduled for 5–8 May.
Meanwhile, the Council — representing the member states — still needs to adopt its position before negotiations on the final text can begin, as disagreements persist over the eligibility criteria.
“For EDIP to live up to its ambition, member states are required to follow the European Parliament’s call and provide additional funding,” MEP Michael Gahler (Germany/EPP) argued.
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