Getting the revision of the Defence Procurement Directive right is critical to delivering the capabilities Member States need to deter aggression by 2030 and to strengthen the capacity and innovation of the European defence industrial base. Reform efforts should focus on removing practical barriers such as administrative complexity, production bottlenecks and limited visibility that delay capability delivery. Through targeted simplification, the Commission can accelerate procurement, support joint acquisition and ensure access to best-in-class technologies. By contrast, introducing stringent European preference requirements, such as headquarters-based eligibility criteria or rigid content thresholds, risks reducing competition, increasing administrative burdens and overlooking the deep investments many US companies already have in the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. Readiness by 2030 requires inclusive access and cooperation with allies to ensure that European defence spending translates into a formidable and enduring deterrent.
Delivering readiness by 2030 through smarter defence procurement
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