Defence Industry Policy

Since defence budgets are shrinking, the national defence industry markets are coming more and more under pressure. A common European Market for Defence could be a solution to overcome market fragmentation and secure the availability of key technologies and Europes strategic autonomy. Member States are reluctant however to fully open their national markets, often using the exceptional rules granted by Article 346 of the Lisbon treaty. Therefore, Commission is pushing for more market integration. After the "defence package" from 2009, it has initiated a Task Force Defence and has finally published its communication "Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector" in June 2013. Based on the taskings of the December Summit, a further communication is expected in July 2014. 

With its wide network among political stakeholders as well as defence industry suppliers, the European Security Round Table is accompanying this process with regular activities.