Brussels 28.05.2025 The Council adopted a decision to launch the sixth wave of projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU’s key framework for defence capability development. The commitment announced on May 27.
#PESCO – 11 new projects focus on critical defence capabilities & interoperability. @EUCouncil approved 5th wave of collaborative projects under PESCO w/ 15 🇪🇺 states participating.
🆕projects include critical capabilities like munitions, counter artillery & a helicopter.🧵 pic.twitter.com/dg4o4k00Ey
— European Defence Agency (@EUDefenceAgency) May 23, 2023
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With the addition of 11 new collaborative projects, the total number of PESCO initiatives amounts to 75. This demonstrates participating member states’ continuous intention to strengthening the EU’s defence readiness.
#EUdefence: @EUCouncil launches the 6th 🌊 of 11 new PESCO projects to strengthen #EUReadiness.
Through #PESCO MS coordinate investments & ⬆️ the resilience of their armed forces building the 🇪🇺 defence capabilities of tomorrow in all operational domains
👇
— EU Council Press (@EUCouncilPress) May 27, 2025
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In line with the strategic guidance provided by the European Council on 6 March 2025, the EU is stepping up its efforts to strengthen its military capabilities in the face of immediate and future challenges.
The new projects span across various domains such as land, air, maritime, strategic enablers and force multipliers, and training facilities, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as quantum systems and directed energy weapons.
This new wave includes the following projects:
Joint European Electromagnetic Warfare Convergence Initiative (JEEWCI)
Substitute for Lead in Infantry Ammunition (SLIA)
Common Handheld Optronic Interface (CHOI)
Infantry Navigation w/o GNSS (InfNav w/o GNSS)
Directed Energy Systems (DES)
Next Generation Dismounted Soldier System (NGDSS)
Modular Seabed Vessel (MSV)
Future (unmanned) Air-to-Air refuelling Capability
Unmanned Air Transport of Injured Soldiers (UNATIS)
Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (QUEST)
Medical Treatment Facility Role 2 Forward-Capability Development (MTF R2F-CD)
Several of these projects directly respond to capability priorities identified by EU leaders, reinforcing PESCO’s role in strengthening EU’s defence posture and deepening its strategic sovereignty.
The Future of the War
🔸Drones have stretched the front lines, making assaults harder.
🔸Russia’s drone dominance buys time as Ukraine waits for more Western aid.
🔸If Kiev doesn’t close the gap soon, Russia’s advantage will grow. pic.twitter.com/IbKXlScRA6
— NewRulesGeopolitics (@NewRulesGeo) May 26, 2025
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The latest PESCO decision demonstrates that it continues to be a central instrument for addressing the EU’s capability gaps through cooperation. It mobilises participating member states to pool resources, coordinate investments, and improve their armed forces’ interoperability, while reinforcing the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).
EUROPE DIPLOMATIC 