European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, re-elected for a second term, has prioritised defence as a key pillar for completing the European Single Market and establishing a robust European Defence Union.

Von der Leyen announced a white paper on the future of European defence within the first 100 days of her new Commission. The EU´s new High Representative Kaja Kallas and the new Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius have been entrusted with the task.

The white paper will address critical investment needs, strengthen defence capabilities, and enhance industrial competitiveness to bolster the EU’s response to global security threats, including Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.

Some proposed initiatives include:

• A European air shield for continental air defence
• Expanded cyber-defence capabilities
• Strengthened EU-NATO cooperation

Furthermore, increased financing and cooperation shall improve innovation, production and procurement procedures to strengthen the European defence industry and to reduce armament imports. While EU-level policies will focus on supporting the defence industrial base and innovation, Member States will retain control over deployment and military doctrine.

This initiative responds to the European Parliament’s long-standing call (since 2016) for a defence white paper to advance EU integration in defence and achieve strategic autonomy. It builds on the 2017 reflection paper on European defence, which explored three integration scenarios (security and defence cooperation, shared security and defence, and common security and defence) and on the 2022 Strategic Compass in 2022, a guideline to EU security and defence policy.

Strengthening the EU’s Security and Defence Structure: SEDE Becomes a Standing Committee

Since December 2024, the European Parliament´s former subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is now a full standing committee. This decision aligns with citizens´ concerns, parliamentary priorities, and also with CESI´s demands, as it reflects the new importance EU defence policies has.

The Security and Defence Committee comprises 43 members and will complement the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET). The newly elected chairwomen Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has emphasized the need to closely cooperate with Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius to strengthen Europe’s security architecture and to cement the EU´s position as a global security actor.

The Extraordinary EU Summit on Defence, scheduled for February 3, 2025, is called upon to define the EU’s strategic ambitions in defence integration and security.

In reaction to these recent developments Klaus Heeger, CESI Secretary-General, states: ‘More European efforts are needed for the European Defence Union to grow and for member states to become aligned towards the common goal, which remains peace and deterrence against aggressors. As CESI we remain steadfast in advocating for the rights and protection of military and civilian personnel of armed forces while tackling the challenges of a fully-fledged -European Defence Union.

Sebastian Käding from the Deutscher BundeswehrVerband (DBwV) adds: “The role of all armed forces within the European Defense Union is of central importance. We must ensure that our soldiers are equipped, trained and protected in the best possible way so that they can make their contribution to a common security architecture. At the same time, we must not lose sight of the social and labor law concerns of military and civilian personnel. A strong European Defense Union requires equally strong backing for the people who support it.”