Omnibus on defence

Background

Russia’s war, cyber and hybrid threats, and fragile global supply chains have exposed gaps in EU industrial capacity and the way Single Market rules are applied to the defence sector. Projects that should scale quickly are often slowed by different national procedures, unclear timelines and uneven access to finance and skills across Member States.

The 2025 defence Omnibus responds by addressing the speed of the permitting processes, easier movement of components and know‑how inside the EU, simpler and more consistent procurement paths, clearer use of EU and private finance while protecting sensitive information, and a stronger pipeline of specialised skills.

The aim is a faster, more coherent framework so European programmes can be delivered on time and at scale—without lowering standards.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

• stresses the need to provide for oversight mechanisms regarding the application at national level of the proposed adaptations to the regulatory framework;
• recommends that general transfer licences be prioritised and used systematically for all projects financed or coordinated at EU level, and that this system be extended and harmonised across the national systems;
• recommends that the possibility for Member States to authorise national exemptions for chemical substances ‘in the interests of defence’ be subject to appropriate environmental verification and compatibility procedures;

Read the opinion.

Additional information

Section: Single Market, Production and Consumption

Opinion number: INT/1100

Opinion type: Mandatory referral

Rapporteur-general: Maurizio MENSI

Commission documents: COM(2025) 821 final – 2025/0172 (COD); COM(2025) 822 final – 2025/0176 (COD); COM(2025) 823 final – 2025/0177 (COD)

Referral: European Parliament and Council of the European Union

Relevant SDGs: SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Adopted by the section: 2/9/2025

Adopted at plenary: 18/9/2025

Outcome of vote: 77 in favour/0 against/0 abstentions

Contacts:

Press officer: Laura Lui

Tel.: +32 2 546 9189

Email: laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Annalisa Tessarolo

Tel. :    + 32 2 546 9732

Email : annalisa.tessarolo@eesc.europa.eu