Defence Readiness Omnibus
On June 17, 2025, the European Commission announced a major legislative package known as the “Defence Readiness Omnibus”, which amends several regulations and directives applicable to the defense sector. This package aims to strengthen the European defense industrial and technological base by accelerating investments, removing regulatory barriers, and improving coordination among member states while also enhancing the sector’s appeal to private investors.
A Concrete Application of the “ReArm Europe” Plan
This proposal is part of a broader strategic shift initiated in March 2025 with the launch of the “ReArm Europe” plan, which seeks to mobilize nearly €800 billion, alongside the publication of a white paper outlining a vision for European defense by 2030. That document identified several major vulnerabilities facing the Union in light of current threats: fragmented supply chains, critical dependencies and burdensome regulations.
In response, the European Council invited the Commission to propose concrete measures to adapt the regulatory framework to the specific needs of the defense sector. The Omnibus package marks the first structural step in this transformation.
Three Priorities: Simplify, Finance, Coordinate
The text includes a range of measures designed to facilitate industrial defense projects, improve their financing, and encourage closer cooperation at the European level through the following initiatives:
- Improved access to EU funding via InvestEU: The package proposes relaxing eligibility criteria for defense projects under the InvestEU program, providing guidance on the compatibility of such investments with sustainable finance principles, and clarifying the definition of controversial weapons under this regulation.
- Implementation of a fast-track authorization procedure for certain defense projects: A single authorization will be issued within a maximum of 60 days—compared to several years currently in some Member States. National single points of contact will also be established to support industry stakeholders.
- Reduction of administrative and procedural burdens under the European Defence Fund (EDF): As the main instrument supporting collaborative R&D in the sector, the EDF will benefit from simplified application procedures, lighter reporting requirements and an expanded scope to include Ukrainian entities reflecting a strategic openness.
- Facilitated joint procurement of equipment and services: The package proposes raising thresholds for public procurement in security and defense, simplifying procedures, and removing barriers to cross-border transfers of military equipment.
Next Steps
The Omnibus package will be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure. Its adoption would mark a major step toward building a competitive, responsive, and sovereign European defense economy.
