EU Council Finalizes Five Major Defense Projects, Integrating Ukraine in Four
On September 28, 2026, the Council of the EU approved five major defense projects of common interest (EDPCIs) to address capability gaps in air defense, maritime security, space, and drone technology. Ukraine participates in four of the five initiatives, notably the drone and counter-drone project 'DECODER' and the air and missile defense program 'EU-FIAMD.' The approval follows a July proposal by the European Commission and aligns with the broader 'Defence Readiness 2030' strategy. Concurrently, EU ministers agreed to strengthen the European Defence Agency (EDA) to facilitate joint procurement and innovation, aiming to reduce fragmentation in European defense spending.