Towards balanced Defence Industry in Europe: main specificities of Central and Eastern European Defence Industrie

On 19 and 20 December 2013, for the first time since the Lisbon Treaty came into force,
the Heads of States and Governments of the European Union (EU) held a thematic debate on defence, in the European Council. They identified a number of actions for stronger cooperation within the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to address critical shortfalls in capability development. In addition to concrete programmes on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Airto‐ Air refuelling, Satellite Communication, and Cyber, the European Council highlighted the need for “a more integrated, sustainable, innovative and competitive defence and technological and industrial base (EDTIB) to develop and sustain defence capabilities.” It also stressed the need to have a balanced defence industry in Europe.