Europe is taking further steps to strengthen its defence-industrial base through €168.2 million in funding for eight manufacturing projects. The European Commission’s allocation will support production of energetic materials, missile and drone propulsion systems, warheads and ammunition, reducing reliance on suppliers outside Europe. The investment comes under the Industrial Reinforcement Action pillar of the €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme. Planned projects cover propulsion manufacturing in Norway and the Czech Republic, warhead production in six European countries, explosives manufacturing in Finland and Germany, and small-calibre ammunition output in Sweden. The programme aims to achieve annual production of more than 20,000 tonnes of energetic materials, 3,500 propulsion systems, 200,000 loitering-munition warheads and 60 million ammunition rounds. Facilities across 14 EU member states and Norway will participate. Regulatory changes are also intended to accelerate procurement. The Omnibus V package, approved by the EU Council on 9 October, simplifies defence-related procedures, improves cooperation across borders and limits permit decisions to 102 working days, with applications generally deemed approved when authorities miss the deadline.
