A Paper Tiger or a Game-Changing Project: European Defence Industrial Strategy and Views from Central Europe
A Paper Tiger or a Game-Changing Project: European Defence Industrial Strategy and Views from Central Europe

Author(s): Timotej Kováčik
Subject(s): Supranational / Global Economy, Economic policy, Security and defense
Published by: EUROPEUM - Institut pro evropskou politiku
Summary/Abstract: This paper deals with the topical issue of the first-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), which was introduced by the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP) in March 2024. The strategy aims to increase European defence industrial readiness, encourage Member States to invest in the European defence industry, and reinforce joint European defence procurement and ownership. EU Member States from Central Europe have played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine after the start of the Russian unprovoked and illegal full-scale invasion in February 2022. They also stressed the need to focus the EU's efforts on new initiatives in the field of defence and the defence industry, such as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production or enhancing the European Defence Fund. The main objective of this study is to identify how Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) and their representatives (state officials, Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament) perceive EDIS and what priorities they seek to pursue during the implementation of the strategy to use its full potential for their defence industries and cooperation among Member States. Furthermore, the paper discusses the preparatory phase of the strategy from the perspective of the Central European Member States and the European Commission. It also explains what Member States from Central Europe expect from the newly appointed Commissioner for Defence and Space. In order to obtain data, the author conducted interviews with relevant stakeholders such as politicians, academics, diplomats and experts from EU institutions and leading European think-tanks.

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