EU publishes new guidance on European Defense Fund

The European Commission on Friday published a guidance on the subject of the European Defense Fund, the executive body of the European Union (EU) said on its website.

"This will facilitate member states' participation in collaborative defense projects under the future European Defense Fund and its current precursor programs," Elzbieta Bienkowska, commissioner responsible for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said in a statement.

The guidance clarifies the conditions for cooperative projects in the field of defense and security and complements the European Defense Fund through which the EU is providing support all along the lifecycle, from research to prototype development up to certification. Up to eight percent of the total budget will support disruptive, high-risk defence innovation, said the statement.

To be fully operational in 2021, the Fund has been already materializing with precursor programs, read the statement.

"With the European Defense Fund, we are helping member states research and develop cutting-edge technologies and equipment needed to protect Europeans," the commissioner added.

Following proposals from the European Commission, EU leaders agreed in December 2016 on a plan to deepen security and defence cooperation for the EU and its member states, respond to external conflicts and crises, and project security in the EU neighbourhood. Since then, the EU launched the common European Defence Fund to finance joint research and development.