The EU finally opens up the European defence market

For decades Europeans have been fighting side by side. Yet governments have maintained a broadly national approach when purchasing their military equipment. The fragmentation of European defence markets has been unnecessarily expensive and has hampered European militaries working together. The EU has agreed a series of reforms to increase competition in defence procurement. The reforms should allow the defence industry to become more competitive and deliver cheaper goods. But the new measures will only make a difference if member-states use the new tools and if the European Commission and industry challenge recalcitrant defence ministries.