The European Union finances joint arms purchases for the first time

Brussels has invested 300 million euros to help around twenty member states purchase anti-aircraft defense equipment, armored vehicles and ammunition.

The European Union announced on Thursday, November 14, that it had financed the joint purchase by member states of weapons, most of which will be sent to Ukraine. The EU had already financed arms purchases to help kyiv, but outside its budget, thanks to an ad hoc financial instrument. “This is the first time we have used the EU budget to support member states in joint purchasing” of weapons, underlined Thursday the Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager, quoted in a press release.

Brussels has invested 300 million euros to help around twenty member states purchase air defense equipment, armored vehicles and ammunition. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU has been working to strengthen its defense industry and its ability to help kyiv.

It thus set up a financial aid mechanism aimed at encouraging the purchase of ammunition by the 27, promising to deliver at least one million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of March 2024. This However, this objective has not been achieved, but it will be before the end of the year, promised the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.