New National Action Plan for the European Defence Fund is ready

The national action plan aims to promote Danish interests with respect to the European Defence Fund. The action plan will ensure increased dialogue between the Danish Defence, defence companies and research institutions, explore Danish co-financing opportunities and offer advisory service, inter alia with a view to increasing the likelihood of Danish returns from the fund.

The action plan contains a total of 20 concrete initiatives including support for the formation of consortia between Danish and foreign companies and research institutions, co-financing opportunities for concrete projects, and knowledge sharing on the potential of the Defence Fund for Danish actors. The initiatives create the framework for Denmark’s overall approach to promote the interests of Danish defence companies and research institutions with respect to the Defence Fund.

Minister of Defence, Trine Bramsen:

“It is essential that Denmark and Danish companies are ready when the European Defence Fund is established. A strong defence industry and close cooperation with EU Member States contribute to making Denmark safe and mean that we continue to be a valued partner in defence and security policy”

Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Simon Kollerup:

“The European Defence Funds brings great opportunities for Danish companies. We do not produce fighter jets or tanks in Denmark but we have a plethora of highly specialised suppliers that can play a role in larger European projects. The European Defence Fund will strengthen the incentive to include Danish companies in projects across countries. With the National Action Plan the Danish defence industry, research institutions, the authorities and other relevant organisations have a clear roadmap to promote the interests of Danish companies in the EU and secure Danish companies a strong position in the supply chains of the European defence industry”

Minister of Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen:

”Denmark is generally doing very well on the international research and innovation scene although competition for resources is hard. Defence research is strengthened with the European Defence Fund and it is important that we are ready from the very beginning. With the National Action Plan we ensure a strong foothold so that Danish researchers and defence companies can make the most of the Defence Fund. At the same time we can exploit synergies with the civilian EU programmes for research and innovation as well as  space”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Kofod:

“It is important for the Danish government that Europe takes greater responsibility for its own security. The European Defence Fund is an important contribution to this and therefore part of the solution. It is also a good example of how Denmark is able and willing to engage in the  defence and security of the European Union within the framework of the Danish defence opt-out. Therefore we must work together to make sure that Denmark makes the most of this opportunity”

The advisory group is made up by the Ministry of Defence,  Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance as well as actors across the Danish defence industry and research institutions.

The European Defence Fund will support the financing of research and development cooperation in the defence area in the period 2021-2027 to integrate and strengthen the defence industry of the EU. The majority of funds will be allocated to the development of defence material. The economic size of the fund will be determined as part of the negotiations on the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period of 2021-2027.

National Action Plan for the European Defence Fund- promoting Danish interests with respect to the European Defence Fund

Read more about the initiatives of the National Action Plan