The Legal Framework of the EU Defence Industry and the Pursuit of Strategic Autonomy

Abstract

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2023 8(2), 475-486 | European Forum Insight of 27 July 2023 | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. The debate concerning the EU defence industry and strategic autonomy: why is it central nowadays? - III. The notion of strategic autonomy and the EU defence industry. - IV. EU defence industry: The relevant legal framework. - V. A glimpse into the future: The Strategic Compass and the next steps toward autonomy. - VI. Conclusions. | (Abstract) National autonomy in the defence industry sector is often considered key by Member States to guarantee their national security interest. However, recent developments such as the Russian military aggression against Ukraine brought the need for further integration in this domain into the spotlight. The aim of this Insight is to analyse the EU legal framework of the defence industry through the prism of strategic autonomy, considering whether such deeply fragmented regulatory system is suitable for achieving this objective. It shows that, even if the current initiatives improve cooperation between Member States in this sector, there is still the underlying lack of a common purpose to achieve full strategic autonomy that would allow transforming the EU into an autonomous geopolitical actor. Nevertheless, the defence industry is a field where Member States could more easily perceive the benefits deriving from further integration and, therefore, it is a promising starting point in the path toward European strategic autonomy in defence.

Keywords

• strategic autonomy
• eu defence industry
• strategic compass
• pesco
• edf
• card