Key facts
- EU ambassadors approved plans for five bloc-wide defense projects on September 16.
- The projects, known as European Defense Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI), aim to beef up Europe's defense capacity.
- Ukraine will participate in four of the five projects.
- The European Commission proposed providing 60 million euros ($69 million) to each project.
- The total estimated cost for the five projects is 281 billion euros ($324 billion).
- The DECODER project, focused on drone and counter-drone technology, is expected to cost between 3.5 billion and 5.5 billion euros.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — EU ambassadors on September 16 approved plans for five bloc-wide defense projects, potentially worth tens of billions of euros each, aimed at bolstering Europe's defense capacity. These projects, proposed by the European Commission in July 2026, seek to address "urgent strategic capability shortfalls" in critical areas such as air defense, maritime security, space, drone and counter-drone capabilities, and monitoring of the EU's eastern flank. Ukraine is slated to participate in four of the five initiatives, with the space project being the sole exception.
Ambassadors also endorsed the European Commission's proposal to allocate 60 million euros ($69 million) to each of the five projects, known as European Defense Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI), to initiate their operations. However, this initial funding represents a fraction of the overall cost, as the projects are designed to roll out over years, with one expected to continue until 2045. The combined price tag for all projects is estimated at 281 billion euros ($324 billion).
The first project, codenamed DECODER, is dedicated to drone and counter-drone technology, with Ukraine expected to play a significant role. This project, estimated to cost between 3.5 billion and 5.5 billion euros ($4 billion to $6 billion), aims to establish a network of drone technology hubs to foster testing, innovation, and interoperability among EU nations. All EU countries are participating except for neutral Malta.
Of particular relevance to Ukraine is the air and missile defense project (EU-FIAMD), with an estimated cost of 55-80 billion euros ($63-92 billion) by 2040. While Ukraine has demonstrated leadership in drone warfare, it faces vulnerabilities in anti-ballistic missile defenses, a weakness exploited by recent Russian strikes. This project aims to ensure member states possess the necessary integrated air and missile defense capabilities and robust early warning systems.
The scope of the proposed projects extends to space, though Ukraine will not be involved, and to maritime security. The "integrated maritime and seabed defense" project plans to integrate military and civilian personnel, along with drones, to monitor various sea-based infrastructure, including fuel pipelines, wind turbines, and internet cables.
The most expensive initiative is the Eastern Flank Watch, estimated to cost between 60 and 100 billion euros ($69-115 billion) by 2036. This project is geographically focused on the EU's eastern flank and cuts across combat domains, with the proposal arguing it benefits all member states against security threats and is open to expanding its geographic scope. Work on this project has already commenced, with Finland and Poland co-leading, as announced by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in December 2025.