On 3 July 2026, the European Commission published a proposal for a Council Implementing Decision identifying five European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) under Regulation (EU) 2025/2643. The projects, which span drones, maritime defence, space capabilities, integrated air and missile defence, and eastern border security, carry combined estimated costs ranging from €3.5 billion to €100 billion by 2045. The proposal will be discussed by the Council on 7 July 2026.
DECODER (drone and counter-drone systems, 26 Member States plus Norway and Ukraine, €3.5-5 billion by 2033); IMSD (integrated maritime and seabed defence, 17 countries, €43-72 billion by 2045); SPACE (space capabilities, 16 countries, up to €24 billion by 2034); EU-FIAMD (federated integrated air and missile defence, 16 countries, €55-80 billion by 2040); and EFW (Eastern Flank Watch, 15 countries, €60-100 billion by 2036). The European Commission participates in all projects, while the High Representative and the European Defence Agency serve as observers.
This is the first set of EDPCIs proposed under the 2025 regulation, which established a framework for identifying and supporting defence projects of common interest to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base. The Council is expected to adopt the implementing decision after discussion on 7 July, with Member States and participating countries then able to access EU funding and coordination mechanisms.
The projects represent a significant step in EU defence integration, pooling resources across multiple Member States and partners. The largest project, EFW, focuses on enhancing security along the EU's eastern border, reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions. The IMSD project, with its €72 billion upper estimate, aims to create a federated maritime defence architecture, while EU-FIAMD targets collective air and missile defence at a cost of up to €80 billion.
Defence contractors across the EU stand to benefit from large-scale procurement and development contracts, particularly in drones, space, and air defence systems. National defence ministries will need to coordinate budgets and operational requirements, potentially straining fiscal resources. Participating non-EU countries like Norway and Ukraine gain access to EU defence cooperation frameworks. The European Defence Agency and the Commission will see increased coordination roles, while non-participating Member States may face pressure to join or risk being left out of key defence supply chains.