News from the Brussels’ Bubble #2023-03

The latest issue of the EU project newsletter summarises the main news about EU funding for the arms industry and other aspects of EU militarisation over the last month. Enjoy the reading!

SUMMARY of ENAAT NBB 2023-03_05.05.23

EU funding for the arms industry
– EU Auditors conclude that EU lacks long-term strategy on defence spending
– EDIRPA: EP now pushes for fast-track negotiations
– Continuation and end of Breton’s tour of the arms industry
– EC proposal for the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP)

Other aspects of EU militarisation
– EDA-US agreement for a cooperation framework is signed
– Military mobility: 2nd call for proposals almost exhausts 7-years budget

EU Peace Facility & related news
– Strategic Compass: MEPs support establishment of EU rapid reaction force, under certain conditions
– Ammunitions to Ukraine: Member States operationalise track one and two of the 20 March plan
– €70 million to support Moldova and Georgia armed forces to participate in EU missions

Interesting links

If you wish to receive this Newsletter in your mailbox, please write to info[at]enaat.org

more news

NBB 2026-2, EU militarisation going wild

From dedicated funding programmes to diverting civil funds, from deregulation facilitating the business of arms to wave of security & defence partnerships, EU militarisation is going wild in 2026… Read our latest newsletter here: NBB 2026-2, 27/03/2026 SUMMARY: ENAAT news > Global Days Against Military Spending (GDAMS) Campaign to run from April 10 to May 9 > ‘US fighter jets: backbone of European air forces’ – StopWapenhandel blog EU support for the arms industry > Deregulating the arms industry: negotiations and EP calls for single market for defence > A SAFE 2.0 in the pipeline, Polish veto, French frustration

Read more >

The competitiveness trap: How EU ‘simplification’ fuels a global arms race

This piece was first published as an Opinion article on EUobserver, ‘How the EU is deregulating arms-control to be like any other industry‘ For most citizens, terms like “simplification” and “harmonisation” sound positive. However, within the Brussels’ EU “bubble,” they are used as a Trojan horse for massive deregulation. Specifically, a new legislative package—the Defence Readiness Omnibus—threatens to overhaul how weapons are produced and sold, creating a dangerous precedent for global security. As “Trilogue” negotiations begin under the Cyprus EU Presidency, the stakes could not be higher. Under the guise of “completing the internal market” for defence and

Read more >

NBB 2026-1: Quiz, which of the EU institutions is the most arms-industry friendly?

From EP’s early Christmas gifts to EC outbids to counter EDA’s revival, one wonders which of the EU institutions is the most arms industry-friendly…Read our latest newsletter here: NBB 2026-1, 16/01/26 SUMMARY ENAAT news > “Europe’s Hidden Hands: Funding and Arming the Genocide in Gaza” (Webinar series 26/01 & 02/02) > Stop Wapenhandel Blog: Weakening arms transfers rules in the name of ‘security’ and ‘competitiveness’ > Increasing concerns about civil society watchdog role at EU level > Citizens’ initiative asking the EC to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement EU support for the arms industry > EDIP & SAFE:

Read more >