The European Commission is set to unveil a significant proposal next week aimed at streamlining defence procurement and easing access to vital European funding, a move driven by growing concerns over bureaucratic hurdles and the pressing geopolitical landscape. European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius emphasized the urgency of these reforms on Tuesday, stating, “Without this simplification, nothing else in defence readiness will be possible to achieve. Putin will not wait for us to get our paperwork in order.”
The forthcoming proposal, anticipated on June 17, directly addresses long-standing complaints from the European defence industry regarding excessive EU red tape and protracted delays in accessing much-needed funds. These frustrations have been widely seen as impediments to the bloc’s ability to swiftly enhance its defence capabilities.
Commissioner Kubilius outlined the key areas of reform, indicating a push for greater flexibility for member states in several critical aspects of defence acquisition. “We intend to give more flexibility to member states in common procurements, more flexibility on framework agreements, and we intend to facilitate innovation procurement,” he explained. Crucially, the Commission also aims to make access to the bloc’s existing defence fund “easier,” a direct response to industry feedback about the complexity of navigating funding mechanisms.
Beyond direct procurement, Kubilius highlighted the need to re-evaluate other regulatory frameworks that inadvertently impact defence readiness. He specifically pointed to permits, reporting obligations, competition rules, and sustainable finance as areas that could benefit from review and simplification to ensure they do not hinder defence efforts.
The Commission’s forthcoming package will also include proposals to simplify two key directives: one concerning defence procurement and another governing intra-EU transfers of defence products. These simplifications are expected to reduce administrative burdens and expedite the movement of essential defence equipment within the Union.
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