European defence industrial development programme (EDIDP)

In an environment of increasing security threats and diminishing reliability of some of its key traditional allies the European Union decided it was time to increase its own military capabilities. A European Defence Fund (EDF) was created, of which a new European defence industrial development programme (EDIDP) would be part. During its July 2018 plenary the European Parliament is expected to vote at first reading on the proposal to create the EDIDP. The programme is destined to provide financial support during the development phase of new products and technologies, i.e. the phase that follows research and precedes the acquisition of defence systems.