ABSTRACT – This blogpost analyses the evolution of the EU instruments supporting the defence industry, focusing in particular on the new EDIP Regulation, which seeks to stabilise and extend earlier instruments conceived in an emergency context within a systemic and multiannual approach aimed at strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). It first describes the progressive expansion of the EU intervention in a sector traditionally governed by the intergovernmental dimension, through an examination of various instruments, including the European Defence Fund and the emergency instruments adopted after 2022. It then outlines the new European industrial strategy for the defence sector. The analysis subsequently focuses on EDIP Regulation, highlighting its objectives, structure, and main features. The author argues that EDIP represents a further step towards strengthening the European industrial capacity in the defence sector and advancing the EU strategic autonomy. However, the effectiveness of EDIP will ultimately depend on the willingness of the Member States to translate the legal instruments established at EU level into effective strategic and industrial convergence.
