The Funding of Defence Research by the EU

In the medium term, the EU may fund research in the defence sector. In this light, it could launch a small Preparatory Action from 2017 to 2020, in order to test the feasibility of such an idea. For this, it could draw inspiration from Horizon 2020, the big scientific research aid framework program managed by the Commission for 2014-2020.

In 2020, when the EU will adopt its new Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027), and provided the Preparatory Action will be a success, the defence domain could be fully integrated in the EU budgetary agenda. The sums set aside to this new priority will then be more substantial. Prior to that, the Preparatory Action will however have to prove its worth. Its planning therefore represents a major challenge, as the interests to be reconciled are several. National sovereignty, industry, European Union: the equation to be solved is quite complex.