The European Union plans to strengthen control over arms supplies to Ukraine by creating a pan-European defense market. In particular, the European Commission is developing a European Defense Industry Strategy (EDIS) to manage military supplies at the level of the entire Union.
Source. Euractiv writes about it.
"An integrated and competitive European market for defense products will allow the European defense technology and industrial base to benefit from economies of scale, increasing the productivity of its industrial organizations," one of the documents says.
The European Union plans to identify bottlenecks in supply chains, simplify transfers, share production facilities, and provide supplies through funding from the European Defense Fund (EDF).
In this way, the bloc is trying to avoid the risks associated with crises, export controls, and logistical problems that could lead to a reduction in the supply of defense products.
Earlier, the European Union discussed the problem of reducing its own arms stockpiles against the backdrop of supplies to Ukraine. The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, noted that the conflict in Ukraine has become a "wake-up call" for the bloc's military capabilities.
In March, Brussels promised to supply Ukraine with 1 million rounds of ammunition for a billion euros over 12 months, but in the fall it became clear that this plan would not be fulfilled.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed the impossibility of its implementation, adding that the EU is working to increase production.
Background. As a reminder, the media reported that Azerbaijan is allegedly manufacturing shells for Ukraine. The day before, a military journalist published a photo, noting that the ammunition is produced "in one of the partner countries."