The ECR Group fears that the EU may lose sight of the goal of procuring and producing defence equipment as quickly as possible in its urgent rearmament efforts.

The European Conservatives and Reformists have therefore voted against the text of the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) jointly adopted by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE). The ECR hopes for substantial improvements during the trilogue negotiations.

Adam Bielan, ECR shadow rapporteur in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, said:

“The Commission rightly wanted to focus on accelerating production capacity across Europe. Parliament has made this a secondary objective, while at the same time giving priority to strengthening the autonomy of the European defence industry.
The requirement that 70 per cent of components in defence products be manufactured in Europe, as well as all other overly restrictive criteria, would mean excluding existing, well-functioning partnerships. This does not take into account the interests and pressing needs of all Member States, nor does it reflect the diversity of EU defence companies across the Union and their different ownership structures.

“Given the urgency and the international environment, we must remain pragmatic. Working with trusted suppliers particularly from NATO countries is essential to meet urgent needs.”​

Elena Donazzan, ECR shadow rapporteur in the Security and Defence Committee, agreed with Bielan:

“This vote was a missed opportunity to improve the text. While the current position aims to strengthen EU defence autonomy, it does not fully reflect the industrial reality in many Member States. In the short term, Europe remains dependent on external supply chains. This must be recognised if we want delivery times to match strategic urgency.

“We in the ECR Group remain committed to a stronger, more resilient European defence industry. But we warn against ignoring the Union’s existing industrial diversity – and penalising companies with long-standing, effective partnerships beyond Europe’s borders.”

For the ECR Group, speed is of the essence in the context of geostrategic developments, particularly in the defence sector. Operational readiness must not be hampered by structural ambitions that cannot yet be realised. The result of the vote – 70 in favour, 46 against, and 8 abstentions – illustrates the considerable differences between the political groups and national delegations.