European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius delivered a speech at the “EU Defense Night” event on 27 July 2026, addressing the bloc's defence priorities. The remarks, published by the European External Action Service, come amid ongoing efforts to strengthen EU defence cooperation and industrial capacity.
Kubilius, who assumed the defence portfolio in late 2024, has been a vocal advocate for increased defence spending and joint procurement. The speech at the annual gathering of defence policymakers and industry representatives underscores the Commission's push to operationalise the European Defence Industrial Strategy, first unveiled in March 2025. That strategy set targets for member states to procure at least 50% of defence equipment jointly by 2030 and to increase intra-EU defence trade.
The Commissioner's address also follows the European Defence Agency's June 2026 recommendation to streamline joint procurement frameworks and the European Parliament's May 2026 resolution calling for a permanent EU defence fund. Kubilius has previously stressed the need to reduce dependency on non-EU suppliers, particularly in critical capabilities such as air defence and ammunition.
While the full text of the speech was not immediately available, the event signals continued high-level attention to defence integration. Stakeholders, including EU defence manufacturers and national procurement agencies, are watching for concrete proposals on financing and industrial offsets. The speech may also touch on the upcoming European Defence Fund mid-term review, expected later in 2026, which could reallocate resources toward priority projects.
The “EU Defense Night” serves as a platform for informal dialogue between EU institutions, member states, and industry, often setting the tone for formal policy initiatives in the following months.