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REPORT (2025/2143(INI))

On tackling barriers to the single market for defence

A-10-2026-0017

Committee on Security and Defence · Rapporteur: Tobias Cremer

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

The report addresses barriers to a single market for defence, urging action to improve procurement, transfers, and cooperation. It calls for a true single market to enhance competitiveness, reduce fragmentation, and strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base. It demands revision of directives, harmonised use of Article 346 TFEU, mutual recognition of clearances, and supply chain resilience. It proposes new initiatives like a defence innovation accelerator and a defence single market scoreboard.

Committee position. The committee report proposes a motion for a resolution calling for a true single market for defence, with specific measures to overcome barriers.

Key points

  1. Recalls that enhanced cooperation could save up to 30 % of annual defence spending and boost competitiveness.
  2. Urges Member States to overcome nationalist reflexes and cooperate at EU level, with support from EU institutions.
  3. Calls for aggregation of demand, regulatory simplification, and cross-border integration to reduce reliance on non-EU countries.
  4. Deplores lack of results from coordinated planning and mutual trust deficit, leading to inefficient spending and bilateral cooperation with non-EU countries.
  5. Concerned about insufficiently harmonised application of rules and misuse of Article 346 TFEU; calls for a recommendation on its interpretation.
  6. Calls for a 'buy European' approach prioritising procurement from EDTIB, Ukraine, EEA/EFTA, and Security and Defence Partnership states.
  7. Urges treating Ukraine as integral to the single market for defence, facilitating partnerships and participation in EU programmes.
  8. Calls for revision of Directive 2009/81/EC and simplification of intra-EU transfers, including mutual recognition and eliminating authorisation for integrated components.
  9. Proposes a scheme for mutual recognition of security clearances and a voluntary convention among Member States.
  10. Demands strengthening supply chain resilience, diversifying sources, and establishing strategic stockpiles.
  11. Calls for a defence innovation accelerator and an intellectual property regime tailored to defence.
  12. Calls for a defence single market scoreboard and annual report on defence industrial readiness.

Who is affected

  • Member States: urged to cooperate more, apply 'buy European', and harmonise rules.
  • Defence industry, including SMEs: targeted for support, access to funding, and reduced barriers.
  • Ukraine: to be integrated into the single market for defence.
  • EDA: role to be strengthened in promoting the single market.

Figures and deadlines

  • 18 % of expenditure on defence equipment procurement in 2022 was collaborative.
  • 35 % benchmark for collaborative procurement agreed in EDA frameworks.
  • 90 % of EU citizens expect increased EU cooperation in security and defence.
  • Up to 30 % efficiency savings from enhanced cooperation.

Legal basis: Article 346 TFEU