The case for Europe to do more for its own defence and security has steadily strengthened —dramatically so after Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Yet the projects developed within Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) have often been misunderstood. They cannot, and do not seek to, fill all the EU armed forces’ current capability gaps. Project progress is not uniform. Yet many are advancing towards full operational status, as the latest annual review shows.
PESCO commits its members to developing defence capabilities together, and in doing so helps build a genuine European military community. Comprising more than 60 EU defence projects across the operational domains, the cooperation is underpinned by the search for a common strategic culture as part of a broader effort to bolster Europe’s defence, complementing NATO. Aspects such as defence policy, concepts, design of new military assets, and training are all part of the know-how fostered by PESCO. This is especially the case for the maritime and cyber domains.
The growing interest that EU governments are showing in participating in PESCO projects is also striking. Since May 2023, 16 participating Member States have deepened their involvement, either by joining more projects as participants or coming in as observers.
The European Defence Agency is part of the PESCO secretariat, along with the European External Action Service and the European Union Military Staff, facilitating the implementation of projects across areas such as cyber, unmanned systems, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear surveillance, autonomous systems, training, and medical services.
Cyber software prototype
While each PESCO project has its own timeline, and military capability development is a longer term activity, progress is real. Over the past year, most PESCO projects have moved forward. Many projects are expected to reach the execution phase in 2025, meaning they are close to reaching operational capability.
Two PESCO projects have already reached that point: the EUFOR Crisis Response Operation Core and the European Medical Command. The crisis response project helped shape EU force sensing systems and is playing a role in the development of force sensing needed for a new rapid-reaction force, the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity. As for the medical command project, it has led to the creation of the Multinational Medical Coordination Centre – Europe. This is now a permanent medical resource supporting the coordination of military medical services across EU Member States. Already called into action during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also provided support to Ukraine following Russia’s war of aggression.
A third project, the Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform, is nearing completion. The project has developed a software prototype aimed at enhancing cyber defence capabilities and improving responses to cyber incidents.
Many projects, one Union
For the 26 participating Member States in PESCO, the initiative is proving to be a way to reduce the duplication that has been so common across national armed forces, while bringing together Member States’ defence industry to support those efforts. As the EU aims to meet the ambitions of its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), PESCO works for the benefit of the Union as a whole.
EU institutions, bodies, and agencies stand to gain from the results of various PESCO projects, and many are actively seeking collaboration with these entities. The Common Hub for Governmental Imagery project is working to build stronger ties with the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen), aiming to exchange classified governmental imagery. Similarly, the PESCO Cyber and Information Domain Coordination Centre closely partners with the European Union Military Staff, the EU’s joint command centre, and the Hybrid Threats and Cyber Division of the EEAS, to support EU CSDP missions and operations.
With the Military Mobility project, PESCO also has its part to play in allowing EU Member States, as well as NATO allies, to move troops and weapons around Europe quickly to deter Russia. From military corridors to regulatory reforms, close collaboration between the EU and NATO is paramount. For instance, PESCO is helping to reduce transport bottlenecks such as low or weak bridges and reduce the time it takes to obtain clearance to move munitions across borders.
To 2026 and Beyond
Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine has heightened the urgency for several PESCO projects, notably the Counter Battery Sensors project on land, which is focused on improving indirect fire capabilities, emphasising the increasing importance of artillery and counter-artillery systems in modern warfare, particularly given their heavy use in Ukraine.
In the maritime domain, the Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection project highlights the urgent need to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure, as any disruptions could severely affect national security and economic stability. To tackle this, the project aims to protect against natural disasters, attacks, and sabotage.
The war in Ukraine sharpens the focus on PESCO’s contribution to European security. Following a so-called strategic review by 2025, a new phase from 2026 could help boost intergovernmental cooperation and revitalise the European defence technological and industrial base.
Ultimately, EU Member States want to see strategically important projects that deliver the necessary capabilities for territorial defence and the protection of the Union, while maintaining the capacity for CSDP missions and operations. With an emphasis on high-end, full-spectrum capabilities for use at national, EU, NATO, and multilateral levels, PESCO is meeting the founding December 2017 call by Heads of State and Government to be ambitious and inclusive.