Defense`s Feeds

Royal Football Club Seraing
Football: the Court affirms the right, for clubs and players in particular, to obtain effective judicial review of arbitral awards made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Alace
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
International protection: the designation of a third country as a ‘safe country of origin’ must be amenable to effective judicial review

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Principles of Community law
Right to asylum: A Member State may not plead an unforeseeable influx of applicants for international protection in order to evade its obligation to cover asylum seekers’ basic needs

BAJI Trans
The principle of lex posterior mitius extends to a penalty classified as administrative under national law where it is of a criminal nature for the purposes of EU law

Volkswagen
Approximation of laws
A vehicle manufacturer cannot be exempted from its liability for an unlawful defeat device on the grounds that an EC type-approval has been granted

France v CWS Powder Coatings and Others
Approximation of laws
The Court of Justice upholds the annulment of the classification of titanium dioxide in certain powder forms as a carcinogenic substance

Banca Mediolanum
Taxation
Taxation: national legislation providing for tax being levied on more than 5% of the amount of the dividends that financial intermediaries receive, as parent companies, from their subsidiaries resident in other Member States is contrary to EU law

Veracash
Free movement of capital
Payment services: the payment card user is deprived of the right to obtain a refund of an unauthorised payment transaction of which he or she has become aware if he or she delayed in notifying it to his or her provider with intent or gross negligence

Daka
Independence of judges: the double appointment of judges to the Polish Supreme Court is compatible with EU law

Adrar
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Advocate General Spielmann: the court reviewing the lawfulness of the detention of an illegally staying third-country national must verify that the principle of non-refoulement does not preclude his or her removal

Delegations

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

European Defence Agency (EDA) Chief Executive André Denk travelled to Ukraine this week for his first official visit since taking office, aiming to reinforce defence cooperation and gain insight into the country’s wartime innovations.

In Kyiv, Denk met with high-level Ukrainian officials, including Presidential Adviser Alexander Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries Davyd Aloian, Deputy Minister of Defence Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Chief of Defence Brigadier General Andrii Lebedenko. The meetings were organised in coordination with the European Commission and the European External Action Service.

Talks centred around Ukraine’s defence priorities and operational needs.

“I am eager to continue exploring how EDA could further support Ukraine based on our current work strands and the existing framework, and the Administrative Arrangement in place with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence since 2015", said Denk.

The visit extended beyond the capital, with André Denk visiting several defence production sites and military facilities, including an operational command post in eastern Ukraine.

“I am highly impressed by Ukraine's Armed Forces' determination and courage as well as by all the bright Ukrainians who innovate and work in support of the soldiers on the frontline,” said Denk.

“Ukraine’s expertise with cutting-edge technologies and defence innovation tested directly on the battlefield are redefining modern warfare and are truly invaluable. There are many lessons we can learn, and closer cooperation can and will leverage both Ukraine’s and EU Member States’ defence capabilities,” he added.

In Eastern Ukraine, Denk met with Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (picture below).

A parliamentary delegation will be in Taipei from 21 to 23 July to meet with Taiwanese authorities and civil society representatives.
Special committee on the European Democracy Shield

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 14 July, Denmark - the EU Member State currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union - announced its donation of satellite communication services to Ukraine via the European Defence Agency.

The donation includes solutions that increase Ukraine’s access to secure and stable satellite-based communications, such as receiver terminals that will contribute to the country’s ability to defend itself. These terminals will ensure robust and secure connectivity, which can be crucial for the conduct of military operations. Secure and stable satellite-based communications solutions remain in high demand by Ukraine.

The framework provided by EDA can help diversify satellite communication service usage over Ukraine. Such a donation contributes to promoting both Ukraine’s and Europe’s technological strategic autonomy and freedom of action in space. Satellites play a crucial role in modern defence today. Other EU countries may be considering similar donations.

Read more: https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2025/danmark-donerer-satellittjenester-til-ukraines-forsvar-gennem-eus-forsvarsagentur  

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

Less than two months since his appointment as EDA Chief Executive, André Denk has begun touring Member States to discuss their respective defence priorities and EDA’s pivotal role in serving Member States’ interests, leveraging defence and capability development cooperation in the European Union.   

Earlier this week, Chief Executive Denk visited Sweden and Italy – where he met with the Ministers of Defence of both countries, as well as top national defence authorities.   

Sweden

In Stockholm, he met with Minister of Defence Pål Jonson and with the Chief of Defence, General Michael Claesson. Denk also visited the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV), and the Swedish Armed Forces. Discussions revolved around Sweden’s ongoing priorities and EDA’s concrete support to Member States in innovation, capability development, and joint procurement. 

Italy

In Rome, he met with Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, National Armaments Director Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, Chief of Defence General Luciano Portolano, and Deputy Chief of Defence General Del Bene. Discussions focused on reinforcing cooperation in defence, aligning industrial and technological priorities, and advancing European strategic autonomy.  

During his trip to Rome, Denk also presented the results of the first-ever Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign dedicated to unmanned systems – i.e. UAVs and UGVs - for cross-domain logistics at the Italian Army's multifunctional experimentation centre, CEPOLISPE. 

EDA's Chief Executive will travel to other Member States in the coming weeks.

General Michael Claesson, Sweden's Chief of Defence

General Carl-Johan Edström, Sweden's Chief of the Defence Staff

Guido Crosetto, Italian Minister of Defence - and his delegation

 

Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, Italy's National Armaments Director

Main photo: Guido Crosetto, Italy's Defence Minister; Pål Jonson, Sweden's Defence Minister

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base.

On 3 July 2025, six European defence companies gathered near Rome to demonstrate unmanned aerial and ground systems as part of the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) first-ever European Defence Innovation Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign. The live demonstration took place under the umbrella of the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), at the Italian Army’s Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti, Italy.

Crucially, this marks the first operational experimentation coordinated at EU level. While similar initiatives have taken place nationally, OPEX introduces a new model of cross-border collaboration among Member States.

"Security, warfare, and technology are changing at an accelerating pace. The war in Ukraine reshaped our understanding of defence innovation, compressing years of development into weeks through rapid prototyping, adaptability, and tight collaboration among armed forces, engineers, and civilians. So, defence innovation is no longer optional, nor a long-term ambition,” said André Denk, EDA’s Chief Executive, during the Distinguished Visitors’ Day. “Accelerating innovation from the lab to the field is our ticket to operational relevance.”

The OPEX campaign embodies HEDI’s ambition to bridge the gap between promising innovation and real-world military capability. By testing unmanned aerial and ground systems in realistic operational conditions, OPEX offers a way for Member States, industry and end-users to jointly test, evaluate and refine technologies. That helps to overcome the “valley of death” where innovations often fail to reach operational use.

Unlike traditional demonstrations, OPEX reflects a shift toward experimentation as a strategic tool. It generates critical insights into operational concepts, training requirements and interoperability challenges — supporting long-term defence planning. From autonomous systems and drones to electronic interference platforms, the campaign reflects EDA’s commitment to accelerating the uptake of emerging capabilities.

Weeks of field testing

The campaign unfolded in several phases of increasing complexity, from the evaluation of individual systems to fully integrated, cross-domain operations using unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) and unmanned ground systems (UGVs). The six companies — Portugal’s BEYOND VISION, ALTUS LSA of Greece, Austria’s SCHIEBEL, ALYSIS of Spain, PIAP of Poland and Germany’s ARX ROBOTICS — carried out simulations of coordinated tactical missions, focused on autonomous logistics under conditions closely mirroring real-life scenarios.

The final phase of the campaign tested these systems further in demanding, multi-domain environments, providing insight into how advanced technologies can be integrated into future military operations and force structures.

The Distinguished Visitors’ Day event brought together high-level representatives, including EDA's Denk, Director of CEPOLISPE Brigadier General Pierpaolo Dotoli, Italian National Armaments Director (NAD) Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, and Italy's Deputy NAD Luisa Riccardi. EDA’s Director for Research, Technology and Innovation, Nathalie Guichard outlined HEDI’s mission to accelerate defence innovation across the EU.

OPEX campaigns will become a multi-annual effort under HEDI. Future editions, hosted by various Member States, will expand in scope and complexity, covering a wider range of emerging technologies. They will feed directly into EU defence planning, helping ensure that innovation is translated more rapidly and effectively into operational capability.

The OPEX support team is a consortium led by French company EXTENSEE. It helped in the design and execution of the OPEX campaign in collaboration with EDA and the Italian authorities.

EDA awarded contracts across six specialised categories, following a competitive procurement process launched in July 2024:

• Low-Cost Attritable UAS – BEYOND VISION (Portugal) 
• Vertical Take-Off and Launch (VTOL) UAS – ALTUS LSA (Greece) 
• Heavy Lift VTOL UAS – SCHIEBEL (Austria) 
• Low-Cost Attritable UGS – ALYSIS (Spain) 
• Medium Wheeled Logistical UGS – PIAP (Poland)
• Medium Tracked Logistical UGS – ARX ROBOTICS (Germany) 

EDA’s broader role 

Founded in 2004, the Agency helps foster defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the central hub for EU countries aiming to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The agency also works closely with the European defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. 

On 30 June 2025, the European Defence Agency (EDA) signed the contract for the LEO2VLEO project to develop and deploy a constellation of military defence satellites capable of manoeuvring between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).

The €10 million contract was signed at the EDA headquarters by Chief Executive André Denk and Jeroen Rotteveel, CEO of ISISPACE, who leads the industrial consortium.  

Co-funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence and the Austrian Armed Forces, the project will design, develop, build, launch, and operate a constellation of three 16U satellites. The launch is planned within two years, marking a significant leap in European defence space capability.  

Chief Executive Denk said: “LEO2VLEO is not just a demonstration of technology but a testament to our ability to work through multinational cooperation. We are proud to support this pioneering effort that will strengthen the EU’s resilience and readiness in space, an increasingly contested domain.”

ISISPACE CEO Rotteveel said: “It is encouraging to see this project gaining momentum, as it is a crucial step towards developing the space systems necessary for ensuring Europe's safety. Together with our consortium partners, we are confident in our ability to quickly deliver the functionalities required by the Dutch and Austrian Ministries of Defence.”

Earth observation, minimal debris

For EDA and its Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, the project represents an achievement in defence research and technology (R&T). It will be the first known European military satellite constellation capable of transitioning between LEO and VLEO – a manoeuvre that enables greater flexibility, higher-resolution imaging, and enhanced responsiveness during crisis operations.

The LEO2VLEO satellites will provide proof of concept and in-orbit demonstration of defence applications, addressing Europe's urgent need for sovereign, rapid-response space assets. Using VLEO offers several strategic advantages, including improved communications, agility, and Earth observation capabilities, while minimising space debris risk.

This novel approach uses off-the-shelf components combined with extensive R&T to accelerate operational readiness. The project also foresees the inclusion of payloads for Earth observation and navigational warfare – both critical in today’s security environment.

EDA’s Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) supported the initiative through a preliminary study based on its 2023 proof-of-concept framework. This early investment by HEDI has helped pave the way for the current demonstrator phase.

In addition to demonstrating in-orbit performance, the project includes pre-operational capability development, laying the foundation for a future fully operational military satellite system. If successful, LEO2VLEO will set the stage for enhanced autonomy and resilience in European defence missions.

The project brings together a consortium of European innovators, comprising: 

• ISISPACE Group (Lead)  
• Dawn Aerospace Nederland B.V.
• Fantana Defence and Space GmbH
• ASA Astrosysteme GmbH
• Graz University of Technology 
• Beyond Gravity Austria GmbH
• Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

 

On June 25, the European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) took a step forward in enhancing European defence cooperation by signing a Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA). This new agreement provides a long-term, stable foundation for working together on defence initiatives, especially in relation to the European Defence Fund (EDF). 

The FFPA simplifies how the Commission and EDA sign annual Contribution Agreements, helping to speed up the process of supporting joint defence projects under the EDF. This creates the basis for a more enduring partnership between the Commission and EDA, closely linked to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The agreement aims to simplify and accelerate the administrative and financial procedures related to indirect management of EDF projects, allowing resources to be mobilised more efficiently in support of EU strategic autonomy.

More than 40 projects worth around €300 million

Since the EDF was established, the Commission has entrusted EDA with the indirect management of 24 defence projects. With the addition of new projects made possible through this FFPA, that number will rise to over 40 projects with a total value of around €300 million.

This new partnership builds on the strong cooperation that has already developed between the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) and EDA. This framework stabilises and formalises a cooperation process between DG DEFIS and EDA on defence innovation, which further expands the complementarity between the European Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) and EDA’s Hub for Defence Innovation (HEDI), building on their respective strengths.

DG DEFIS already closely collaborated with EDA for the implementation of EDF projects through annual Contribution Agreements since the launch of EDF in 2021. The FFPA ensures continuity and better coordination for European defence capabilities development.

In parallel with the FFPA, the Contribution Agreement for EDF 2024 calls was approved, further solidifying the operational and financial collaboration between the European Commission and EDA. Together, these agreements provide a clear and streamlined mechanism to manage joint defence projects, making it easier to implement and deliver critical defence capabilities.

André Denk, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, said: "Thanks to this new agreement and these new EDF projects, we can help EU Member States develop new defence technologies faster. Working with the European Commission, we can identify the most promising solutions, and, importantly, act as a technology broker – using EDA’s networks and EU funding to support further development." 

Timo Pesonen, Director-general of DG DEFIS, said: "This agreement is more than a formality; it is a strategic enabler. By simplifying our cooperation with EDA, we will accelerate the delivery of innovative, EU-funded defence projects. This partnership is a concrete step towards providing our armed forces with the cutting-edge capabilities they need, faster and more efficiently. We are committed to turning our cooperation into tangible results for Europe's security."   With an increasing number of projects and a deepening partnership, the Commission and EDA recognised the need to simplify how they work together. The FFPA does just that.   It introduces: 

• A standardised annual contribution agreement template that speeds up annual negotiations; 
• Faster EDF grant procedures, with a reduced administrative burden; 
• Better alignment of timelines between DG DEFIS and EDA, helping to ensure smoother delivery of funding to defence actors with a particular attention to grant agreement preparation timeline for directly and indirectly managed projects.

These changes are especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up a large share of EDF beneficiaries and are key drivers of innovation in the defence sector. 

EU defence officials gathered in Warsaw on June 17-18 for the first conference under the fourth phase of the EU’s flagship defence and sustainable energy initiative, aiming to reduce military dependence on fossil fuels while reinforcing operational resilience.

The two-day event brought together around 140 participants from 25 countries (23 EU Member States, Norway and Serbia) under the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS), managed by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER). Hosted under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and by Poland’s Ministry of Defence, the conference set the tone for the programme’s next four years, which will run until September 2028.

While the new phase — CF SEDSS IV — formally began in late 2024, the Warsaw conference marked the community’s first full plenary in the new phase, after a decade of steady progress. With the EU targeting climate neutrality by 2050 and proposing a 90% net emissions reduction by 2040, ministries of defence are being urged to take a more proactive role.

“Energy sustainability and defence resilience go hand in hand. Less fossil fuels, smarter energy management, more energy efficiency and stronger critical energy infrastructure contribute to stronger defence,” EDA’s Director of Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE), Sean White, told the conference. “A greener, more energy-secure and resilient Europe starts with us.”

Krzysztof Zielski, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, underlined: “Our task today and in the years ahead is not simply to adapt to change, but to shape the future of defence energy strategy with responsibility and resolve. In doing so we honour our duty not only to our nations, but to the stability of Europe as a whole.” The forum exemplifies the impact of unity between science, industry and defence, he said.

Katarzyna Smyk, Head of European Commission Representation, Poland, also underscored the significance of this initiative, stating: “The energy transition presents a unique opportunity for EU military forces to enhance their capabilities and maintain superiority. Equally important is the necessity of enhanced civil-military cooperation to bolster the resilience of critical energy infrastructure. In this framework, the CF SEDSS remains an excellent platform to contribute to reaching these important results.”

In his keynote speech, Paweł Wronka, Representative of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces said: "The military supports the protection of critical energy infrastructure. We face cyber attacks daily. Energy, as a strategic factor, is vital for the country to operate."

Renewables, digitilsation

Speakers highlighted that energy transition offers critical gains: reducing dependency on fossil fuel imports, improving supply resilience, and mitigating vulnerabilities exposed by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The event also addressed threats to critical infrastructure, including hybrid attacks in European sea basins.

The conference launched a comprehensive work programme including six plenary sessions, energy technology exhibitions, and crisis-response exercises focused on critical infrastructure. Key areas include energy efficiency, renewables, protection of critical energy infrastructure, battery storage, smart buildings, and digitalisation.

Innovative projects are already underway. In the forum’s previous phase, the Symbiosis Project began work on how offshore renewables such as wind farms can co-exist with military activities in the maritime domain — a  model of civil-military cooperation.

The new phase seeks to build on these achievements, leveraging over 50 project ideas and 15 studies generated since the Forum’s launch in 2015. The conference also served to reinvigorate cross-border collaboration after a period of limited in-person engagement. Officials praised the event as a springboard for deeper cooperation and a symbol of continuity amid shifting security dynamics.

More about the CF SEDSS

• Consultation Forum Sustainable Energy
• EDA and EU Commission sign grant for new phase in green defence
• Green fingers: EU defence energy community ends phase with new proposals

European Union Member States have approved 11 new projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the sixth and final wave of the initial phase of the framework. These projects, which involve 19 Member States, aim to strengthen defence cooperation and capability development. 

The sixth wave of PESCO projects cover a wide range of needs, from broader strategic areas such as air and missile defence and cyber doctrine to more specific applications such as soldier systems and field medical facilities. Member States are also addressing key shortfalls by introducing unmanned aerial systems, improving interoperability through equipment standardisation, and boosting protection of vital undersea infrastructure. For more details of projects coordinated by Germany, Finland, France and Italy, please see here.  

New projects 

Germany (coordinating Member State) 

• Joint European Electromagnetic Warfare Convergence Initiative (JEEWCI) 
• Substitute for Lead in Infantry Ammunition (SLIA) 
• Common Handheld Optronic Interface (CHOI) 
• Infantry Navigation without GNSS (InfNav without GNSS)
• Future (unmanned) Air-to-Air Refuelling Capability 
• Unmanned Air Transport of Injured Soldiers (UNATIS) 
  
  

France (coordinating Member State) 

• Modular Seabed Vessel (MSV)
• Medical Treatment Facility Role 2 Forward – Capability Development (MTF R2F–CD) 
  
  

Finland (coordinating Member State) 

• Quantum Enablers for Strategic Advantage (QUEST)
  
  

Italy (coordinating Member State) 

• Directed Energy Systems (DES) 
• Next Generation Dismounted Soldier System (NGDSS) 
  
  

More demanding times 

From 2018 to 2025, PESCO has generated a total of 83 collaborative projects spanning the five operational domains of land, maritime, air, space and cyber. Eight have now closed, with 75 still ongoing. The projects have ranged from protecting space assets to monitoring undersea infrastructure. The European Defence Agency (EDA), which is part of the PESCO secretariat, believes the projects encourage a shared, intergovernmental approach to defence planning. All 26 participating Member States have taken part in various initiatives, working together to address capability gaps and fulfil their more binding commitments set out in PESCO. 

Compared to when the framework was first launched in December 2017, the second phase of PESCO (2025–2029) will take place in a much more dynamic and challenging security environment. Given Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, there is now an urgent need to close capability gaps, especially those that cannot be met by a single country alone. In response to this, in November 2024, Ministers of Defence signed four letters of intent to work together on key capability areas highlighted in the most recent Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report. CARD gives an overview of Member States’ defence plans and serves as a basis for deciding potential joint projects.  

The letters of intent focused on: Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Electronic Warfare, Loitering Munitions, and the European Combat Vessel. These initiatives, particularly those with a long-term focus, are strong candidates to become future PESCO projects. 

Existing tools such as the European Defence Fund (EDF), which co-finances multinational defence projects using money from the EU’s long-term budget, will continue to support PESCO projects, while discussions held at the European Council of EU leaders in February 2025 have built political momentum and given clearer direction to the EU’s defence ambitions. 

Looking ahead, the new projects also consider future defence challenges, such as the impact of quantum technologies and ensuring reliable access to ammunition. 

About PESCO 

The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a legally binding initiative within the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It aims to deepen defence cooperation among participating EU Member States, enhancing the EU's capacity to act as a security provider. All Member States except Malta are part of PESCO. 

Participation in PESCO is voluntary but entails binding commitments, including increasing defence spending, harmonising requirements, and pooling resources in defence equipment acquisition, research, and utilisation. EDA, along with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS), is part of the PESCO secretariat, facilitating project implementation and ensuring coherence with other EU defence initiatives.  

Through collaborative projects, PESCO seeks to enhance interoperability and effectiveness of forces, strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological base, and ultimately increase the overall security of European citizens.