The Role of the European Parliament in Shaping European Defence Policy and the EU's Strategic Autonomy

European security is currently in a period of radical change. The geopolitical developments of recent years, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, hybrid threats, cyberattacks and the increasing instability in the international environment have significantly changed the way the European Union understands its defence and security. Within this new environment, the European Parliament has emerged as one of the most important institutions contributing to the shaping of European defence policy, promoting initiatives that strengthen the Union's strategic autonomy, the development of the European defence industry and the financing of mutual defence programmes. Although defence remains primarily a competence of the Member States, the European Union has developed an increasingly comprehensive framework for cooperation in recent years. The European Parliament, through its legislative and budgetary operation, has a significant influence on decisions concerning the financing, democratic control and strategic direction of European security policy.

The evolution of European defence policy

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a key pillar of the European Union's foreign policy. For many years, cooperation was mainly limited to crisis management and peacekeeping missions. However, the deterioration of the international security environment has led to the strengthening of European defence cooperation. The European Parliament has consistently supported the need to create a more integrated defence policy, capable of responding to modern challenges. Through resolutions and reports, it has stressed that the European Union must have the necessary capabilities to protect its citizens, critical infrastructure, external borders and strategic interests. The concept of European defence is no longer limited to military operations but also includes cybersecurity, energy security, the protection of maritime infrastructure, the resilience of supply chains, and the countering of hybrid threats.

The ReArm Europe program and the new European strategy

Recent developments have urged the European Union to adopt the ReArm Europe initiative, which aims to significantly increase defence investment and strengthen member states' defence preparedness. The European Parliament supported the need for rapid mobilisation of resources, considering that security is a prerequisite for economic growth and maintaining European stability. This initiative seeks to address chronic weaknesses, such as the fragmentation of defence procurement, dependence on third countries for critical weapons systems and the limited production capabilities of the European defence industry. At the same time, particular emphasis is placed on the creation of joint European research, development and production programmes for advanced defence technologies.

The European defence industry as a strategic pillar

The development of a competitive European defence industry is a key priority of the European Parliament. The fragmentation of national markets leads to increased costs, limited economies of scale and reduced competitiveness against other international producers. Parliament supports the creation of a more integrated European defence market, which would encourage joint procurement, the standardisation of equipment systems, and cooperation among companies, research institutes, and universities. Importance is attached to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, cyber defence, satellite applications and dual-use technologies. At the same time, the aim is to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the defence sector so that they can actively participate in European value chains and contribute to the Union's technological and industrial autonomy.

The strategic autonomy of the European Union

One of the European Parliament's key objectives is to strengthen the European Union's strategic autonomy. This concept refers to the Union's ability to protect its interests and act effectively in times of crisis, without excessive dependence on external factors. Strategic autonomy does not mean distancing itself from transatlantic allies or replacing NATO. On the contrary, it seeks to strengthen European capabilities so that the European Union is a stronger and more reliable partner within the Alliance. The European Parliament considers that strategic autonomy includes energy security, the protection of critical raw materials, technological independence, the resilience of communication networks and the protection of critical infrastructure, such as ports, energy networks and submarine cables.

The financing of European defence

Strengthening defence requires significant financial resources. For this reason, the European Parliament supports increasing funding through European programmes, such as the European Defence Fund (EDF), which finances research projects and the development of new defence technologies. Simultaneously, it supports the creation of joint financing mechanisms for the acquisition of military equipment, the strengthening of the production capacity of the European defence industry and the development of strategic stocks of critical materials. Common financing is considered essential to reduce the fragmentation of national expenditures, achieve economies of scale and increase the effectiveness of European defence investments.

Ukraine's support

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a turning point for European defence policy. Since the beginning of the conflict, the European Parliament has consistently supported the provision of economic, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine.

At the same time, it has called for penalties against Russia, the strengthening of European defence production and the acceleration of military equipment procurement procedures. This support is aimed not only at protecting Ukraine, but also at maintaining security and stability on the European continent.

These developments highlighted the need for the European Union to have sufficient military and industrial capacity to respond effectively to large-scale crises.

Future challenges

Despite significant progress, European defence policy still faces challenges. The different strategic priorities of member states, conflicts in defence expenditures, the lack of full interoperability of weapon systems and budgetary limitations make it difficult to achieve faster integration of European defence. At the same time, the rapid development of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum applications, autonomous weapons systems and cyber defence, creates new demands for investment, training and institutional adaptation. The European Parliament is called upon to shape a balanced framework that will foster innovation, ensure democratic close observation and guarantee respect for international law and fundamental rights.

Conclusion

The European Parliament has acquired an increasingly important role in shaping European defence policy. Through its participation in the legislative process, budgetary control and policy guidance, it contributes to strengthening the strategic autonomy, defence industry and operational readiness of the European Union. The initiatives on ReArm Europe, the reinforcement of the European Defence Fund, support for Ukraine and the development of a competitive European defence industry reflect the European Union's new understanding of security. In the future, the effectiveness of this policy will depend on the ability of Member States and European institutions to deepen their cooperation, invest in innovation and respond to the complex geopolitical challenges of the 21st century. The European Parliament is expected to remain a key driver of this effort, promoting a more secure, resilient and strategically autonomous European Union.