On Tuesday, the EU announced 11 new joint defense projects within the framework of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which is part of the European Union's security and defense policy.
This was reported by Defense News.
The new projects cover training, munitions, counter-artillery, air-launched missiles and medium helicopters. The new projects will be in addition to the 57 already created under the PESCO program, which brings together participants to jointly finance and develop new defense forces and assets.
According to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who said more than 50 PESCO projects are due to reach the "implementation phase" by 2025, the 11 new projects will strengthen Europe's ability to wage high-intensity warfare.
"Against the backdrop of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and its military consequences, including requirements for high-intensity warfare, these new PESCO projects are aimed at providing critical forces and assets with greater operational focus. We cannot build a strong European defense without ensuring the readiness and equipment of the European armed forces for future challenges," Borrell said.
France will lead the program to create three training schools for military transport aviation pilots, and Estonia will lead the program to create a new unmanned ground combat support system.
France and the Netherlands will work on a new counter-artillery sensor system, while Germany will co-lead work on a new torpedo neutralization product.
Germany, Spain, France, Portugal and Sweden will work together under the leadership of Italy on a program to better protect underwater gas pipelines and internet cables.
Germany will lead work on a new short-range air-to-air missile to counter 6th generation aircraft.
In addition to the growing number of future helicopter programs currently underway, France will lead the Next Generation Medium Helicopter (NGMH) program, which includes Italy, Finland and Sweden.
Italy will lead a group including France, Hungary and Sweden to plan a new integrated multi-layered air and missile defense system, while Finland will lead a group made up of Estonia, France and Sweden to plan new command and control systems for use in the Arctic.
Sweden will lead a group that will work with Estonia and France to strengthen communication, while Spain will lead a group that will work to improve the work of military medical teams.
The day before, a meeting of EU defense ministers took place in Brussels. After that, the head of EU diplomacy, Borrell, said that the "vast majority" of EU member states support the proposal to increase the European Peace Fund, which, in particular, is used for military aid to Ukraine, by 3.5 billion euros.
Borrell also reported that since the beginning of the year, as part of the initiative to provide Ukraine with one million artillery ammunition, the European Union states have already handed over one-fifth of it, as well as missiles.
