EDIRPA: a small step towards a defense union

The EU is struggling to follow up its commitment to more joint arms procurement with action. One recent example is the travails in procuring one million artillery shells for Ukraine, another is the delay in the Instrument to Strengthen the European Defense Industry through Joint Procurement (EDIRPA). MEP Michael Gahler (CDU) is rapporteur in the EU Parliament for the regulation, which will be voted on today (Tuesday) in a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and the Industry Committee (ITRE).