Building the EU’s defence industrial edge: Perspectives on EU defence industrial initiatives and lessons learned for the proposed European Competitiveness Fund

The Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy convened a closed roundtable discussion on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, bringing together industry representatives and experts to examine how the European Union can strengthen its defence industrial capacity. The discussion featured Dr Christian Mölling, Director of EDINA (European Defence in a New Age) and Senior Advisor at the European Policy Centre, who contributed insights on evolving EU defence strategies and industrial policy priorities, Ms Lucy Wittek, Key Account Technology, Division Naval Systems, Rheinmetall, who offered the German industrial perspective. The session, moderated by Dr Elena Lazarou, Director General of ELIAMEP, focused, among other things, on ongoing EU defence industrial initiatives and their relevance for shaping future funding instruments, particularly the proposed European Competitiveness Fund.

Participants engaged in a substantive exchange on the EU’s shifting approach to defence financing in light of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) cycle. Reflecting on the limited allocation for defence in the 2021–2027 MFF, the discussion highlighted how recent geopolitical developments have elevated defence as a central priority for both the EU and its member states.

This activity is conducted within the framework of the ELIAMEP Defence Hub, a new initiative dedicated to advancing policy-oriented research and dialogue on the Greek and European defence industry. For more information and to learn how you could participate in this initiative, please contact: Mr Panos Politis Lamprou ([email protected])