Where the law stands, Dossier 2025/2144(INI)
Flagship European defence projects of common interest
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 11 March 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 10 July 2025
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 27 January 2026
- Tabled for plenary(done) 10 February 2026
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 11 March 2026
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
11 March 2026 · decision 12
Defence & security, Resolution
Flagship European defence projects of common interest
Adopted 448 for · 122 against · 38 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The text calls for strategic guidance on selecting, implementing, financing and overseeing such projects, aiming to fill capability gaps and strengthen EU defence readiness.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
No change of substance: the two versions differ only in presentation — cover page, numbering or the parts a report carries that the adopted text does not.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report expands the scope of flagship projects to include new threats like Russia's war and hybrid attacks, and adds specific initiatives for drones and the eastern flank. It strengthens cooperation with NATO and Ukraine, and calls for a single defence market and joint procurement targets. It adds detailed governance, funding, and export control mechanisms, including parliamentary scrutiny and an off-budget instrument. It updates references to the EDIP regulation and adds new recitals on space and critical infrastructure.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Security and Defence
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Lucia Annunziata (S&D)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Riho Terras (EPP), György Hölvényi (Patriots), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Urmas Paet (Renew), Hannah Neumann (Greens), Marc Botenga (The Left), Hans Neuhoff (ESN)
- Committees giving an opinion
- Industry, Research and Energy
- Internal Market and Consumer Protection· rapporteurPierfrancesco Maran (S&D)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 11 Mar 2026
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on flagship European defence projects of common interest acknowledges increased defence spending but stresses the need for coordination, integration, and filling capability gaps through joint projects.
Tabled for plenary· 10 Feb 2026
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on flagship European defence projects of common interest sets out how such projects should be defined, selected, governed and financed, and stresses their role in filling EU capability gaps.
Committee draft· 16 Oct 2025
AI summary:This draft report concerns flagship European defence projects of common interest. It acknowledges increased defence spending, notes persistent capability gaps, and stresses the need for strategic enablers and a managed transition from dependency on non-EU countries to strategic autonomy.
Committee opinions: Opinion (IMCO), Draft opinion (IMCO)
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 3 steps
11 March 2026
Plenary vote
Sitting of 11 Mar 2026 Report A10-0014/2026Adopted text TA10-0080/2026
10 March 2026
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
Sitting of 10 Mar 2026 Report A10-0014/2026Report A10-0017/2026
10 February 2026
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 5 steps
27 January 2026
Committee vote: report adopted
SEDE (Security and Defence) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
4 December 2025
IMCO (Internal Market and Consumer Protection) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
11 November 2025
Amendments tabled in committee
Members of SEDE (Security and Defence) proposed changes to the draft.
16 October 2025
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in SEDE (Security and Defence). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
10 July 2025
Referred to the SEDE (Security and Defence) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; ITRE (Industry, Research and Energy), IMCO (Internal Market and Consumer Protection) give an opinion.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2025/2144(INI)