This study examines the political, economic, and regulatory barriers hindering the creation of a European single market for defence. Despite growing recognition within EU institutions of the need for integration to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and readiness, progress remains constrained. Political obstacles — diverging threat perceptions, sovereignty concerns, reliance on the United States, and lessons from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine — emerge as the primary impediments, shaping downstream economic fragmentation and limiting the impact of existing regulatory tools. Economically, the persistence of nationally segmented industries, duplication, and reluctance to aggregate demand undermine scale and interoperability, while many industrial actors remain neutral or sceptical of deeper integration. Regulatory frameworks such as the Defence Procurement Directive exist but are inconsistently applied due to Member States’ discretion and exemptions. The study highlights conceptual ambiguities surrounding the very definition of a 'single market for defence', which further complicates consensus–building. It concludes that political convergence is a prerequisite for meaningful progress and recommends mapping stakeholder perspectives, clarifying strategic priorities, harmonising standards, engaging stakeholders transparently, and incentivising demand aggregation as essential steps toward advancing integration.
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