The European Commission is set to introduce proposals next week that will provide EU member states with increased flexibility in defence procurement.

This initiative is designed to facilitate easier access to European funding, as announced by European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.

The proposals, scheduled for presentation on June 17, address ongoing concerns about bureaucratic delays and rigid funding mechanisms that have affected the European defence industry.

In a significant policy shift, the Commission suggests that each EU government may escalate its defence spending by 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) each year for four years without incurring penalties under existing fiscal frameworks.

This move would initiate the 'coordinated triggering of national escape clauses,' a mechanism that activates flexibility in the EU's fiscal regulations, intended to stabilize the euro by overseeing government borrowing.

Commissioner Kubilius emphasized the critical need for this flexibility to improve the EU's defence readiness, stating that without such simplifications, achieving effective defence initiatives would be challenging.

He highlighted the urgency, referencing the geopolitical climate and suggesting that adversarial actions would not wait for bureaucratic processes.

The European defence industry has expressed concerns over excessive red tape hindering timely access to government funding.

In response, the proposed reforms will aim to streamline various aspects of defence procurement, which are expected to include provisions for common procurements and framework agreements.

According to Kubilius, the European Commission will also facilitate innovation in procurement and ease access to the EU’s defence fund, which he indicated is a fundamental aspect of enhancing operational capacity.

In line with these changes, the Commission intends to revise other regulations pertinent to defence operations, encompassing permits, reporting requirements, competition rules, and directives concerning intra-EU transfers of defence materials.

Simultaneously, the European Commission is projecting that collective plans to boost defence spending could generate up to €800 billion.

This ambition aligns with a broader objective to strengthen European security and respond to immediate needs, including support for Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that Europe is positioned to significantly increase its defence expenditure not only for short-term exigencies but also for the long-term goal of assuming greater responsibility for its own security.