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European Parliament Approves $1.7 Billion Program to Modernize EU Defense and Support Ukraine

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Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk
Cyril Barabaltchouk
News Writer
European Parliament Approves $1.7 Billion Program to Modernize EU Defense and Support Ukraine
NATO military forces during static display after “Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025” at the Smardan Training Area, in Smardan, south-eastern Romania, on February 19, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

The European Parliament has adopted a law to strengthen the EU’s defense industry, enhance joint procurement, increase manufacturing, and boost support for Ukraine. The regulation establishes the first-ever European Defense Industry Programme (EDIP)  with a $1.7 billion budget, including $347 million for Ukraine’s defense support, according to European Parliament press room post on November 25.

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The programme will support European defense projects involving at least four member states, with Ukraine eligible for participation. It also introduces the Ukraine Support Instrument (USI), aimed at modernising Ukraine’s defense industry and facilitating its integration with Europe’s.

MEPs successfully negotiated an increase in the budget through additional contributions from the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)  instrument, and they championed a “buy European” principle for eligible defense products.

The EDIP will also support the development of the European defense technological and industrial base, providing a foundation for future defense initiatives beyond 2027. The legislation was approved by 457 votes to 148, with 33 abstentions, and now awaits formal endorsement from member states.

Previously, Western leaders welcomed progress in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia during a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing  with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and pledged to intensify economic and security pressure on Moscow.

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EDIP is a Regulation proposed by the Commission to start implementing concrete measures identified in European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS). The regulation aims to bridge the gap between the ending of the short-term emergency measures such as ASAP and EDIRPA and ensure the EU’s defence industrial readiness for the future.

Adopted by the Council of the European Union on the 27th of May 2025, SAFE (Security Action for Europe) is the EU’s new financial instrument designed to provide financial support to Member States to speed up defence readiness by allowing urgent and major investments in support of the European defence industry, with a focus on closing critical capability gaps.

Group of states coordinating military aid, sanctions and security guarantees to support Ukraine and pressure Russia.

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