European Defence Agency new core tasks to include focus on military joint procurement

EU defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (28 May) are adding joint procurement to the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) tasks, despite criticism and reluctance to use the body for that purpose.

The EDA was created as a joint procurement agency, which EU member states would use according to their defence equipment needs. European armies would also use the same equipment, making it easier to work together on the battlefield.

The body, however, only got to that assignment two years ago, after Russia attacked Ukraine. Under the EU fund European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), it was tasked with listing which equipment EU countries could jointly procure to replenish their donated stockpiles to Ukraine.

Now, this responsibility will be underlined in the updated mandate of the EDA.

Two new core tasks are to be added: “aggregating demand for joint procurement and representing the interests of defence ministries in the development of civilian EU policy” to reflect military needs, one EU diplomat said.

“We have an expanded and reinforced mandate with a very strong focus on supporting our member states through all the steps of the development of military capabilities,” including innovation, one EU official also said.

These two tasks will add to the three already ongoing tasks: identification of the countries’ armed forces’ priorities and needs, contributing as project managers to the research and development of products and technologies—which would be extended—and harmonisation of requirements in capability development. 

The decision to focus more on joint procurement follows the work EDA has been involved in for procuring 155mm artillery and ammunition, based on the EU ammunition plan for Ukraine, an EU senior official said.

It is a shift in the EU countries’ mindset and interest in the agency, considering it started this role just a few months ago.

The Agency has also been heavily criticised behind closed doors by some countries – including Germany – deciding to lead a group of states for joint procurement rather than counting on the EDA to provide framework contracts for joint procurement of ammunition.

However, several member states did take advantage of those deals and the EDA.

But officials and diplomats said a large part of the framework contracts are still unused, putting into question the purpose of supporting the EDA in its endeavour to become a full-time joint procurement agency. 

According to its second new task, the EDA should act as a common voice to represent the interests of the defence bubble in all policy-making that can impact the industry or the armed forces.

“Many EU policies may have an impact on defence, and EDA will be there as the voice of ministries of defence and represent defence interests when discussing those policies,” the same official explained.

Recently, the EDA has been advocating for the defence industry and ministries’ interests, calling for more investment. They specifically insisted the European Investment Bank (EIB) must change its lending policy, which it did after several months of debate.

Another example is the European Single Sky (ESS), which will ultimately impact the military.

“There was consensus to reinforce existing cooperation with NATO and develop the cooperation with Ukraine as soon as conditions allow it”, the official added, without adding more details.

[Edited by Alexandra Brzozowski/Alice Taylor]

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