EU-funded defence research: 2nd meeting of high-level group advising Commissioner Bieńkowska

Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs will be chairing the 2nd meeting of the Group of Personalities on 17 November 2015. The Group will present its final report in February 2016 and its findings will be taken into account in the shaping of the Preparatory Action for defence research.

Background

The European Defence Technological and Industrial Base is a major security enabler for Europe, a significant generator of high technology jobs and an important contributor to growth. A competitive and efficient European defence and technological industrial base requires more investment in research and innovation. 

Following the 2013 Commission Communication "Towards a more competitive and efficient Defence and Security sector" and the subsequent Council calls to support defence related research outside the scope of Horizon 2020 through a Preparatory Action, Commissioner Bieńkowska set up a high level group of politicians, academics, think tankers and defence company CEOs (Group of Personalities). The role of this Group is to advise on a strategic vision for a potential future EU-funded defence Research & Technology (R&T) programme. This R&T programme should be comprehensive and on a sufficient scale over the long-term to sustain Europe's strategic autonomy, while also triggering cooperation among EU countries in multiple core capability areas that are complementary to national R&T defence priorities.

More information

Communication COM(2013)542 "Towards a more competitive and efficient Defence and Security sector"

European Council Conclusions December 2013

European Council Conclusions June 2015

See the list of members (167 KB) of the high-level group.