EU Parliament Backs Faster Defense Investment

The European Parliament has approved measures to speed up defense investment and make it easier for the EU to respond to security threats. The Omnibus V package, provisionally agreed with the Council of the EU on 10 June, is intended to support up to €800bn ($922bn) in defense investment over the next four years.

Authorities will have 42 working days to decide on permits for defense projects. In exceptional cases, the deadline may be extended to a maximum of 102 days. If no decision is made in time, the permit will be considered approved. Member states will set up a single online contact point where applicants can track the progress of their applications.

A new general license will make it easier to transfer defense products between member states. The reform will allow more defense contracts to be awarded without triggering EU procurement rules, extend long-term purchasing agreements from seven to 10 years and make it easier for member states to jointly purchase defense equipment.

The changes will simplify the operation of the European Defense Fund and expand support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Funding will be extended to cover testing costs in Ukraine, while member states will be allowed to waive certain EU environmental and chemical rules when necessary for defense.

The new rules will take effect 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(ep, bak)