A ‘game changer’? The EU’s preparatory action on defence research

The French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) is one of the main independent European Think Tanks on geopolitical and strategic issues.

IRIS, a public-interest association created in 1991, is a French think tank on geopolitical and strategic issues. It is the only international think tank to have been set up as a totally private initiative in an independent approach. IRIS activities can be divided into four fields: research, organisation of events and meetings, publishing and training.

The Armament Industry European Research Group (Ares Group) was created in 2016 by The French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), who coordinates the Group. The aim of the Ares Group, a high-level network of security and defence specialists across Europe, is to provide a forum to the European armament community, bringing together top defence industrial policy specialists, to encourage fresh strategic thinking in the field, develop innovative policy proposals and conduct studies for public and private actors.In April 2016, the Preparatory Action for Common Security and Defence Policy‐related research was under preparation. The Preparatory Action aimed to serve as a basis for an eventual, fully‐fledged, European Defence Research Programme.

Using EU funds for defence‐relevant research was not without its challenges. This policy paper analysed the likely relationships or approaches that might emerge from an EU‐funded programme on defence research, and it drew out some of the challenges that could emerge during the rolling out phase of the Preparatory Action. On the basis of this analysis, this policy paper concluded that while the Preparatory Action was to be a small‐scale financial contribution to Europe’s defence research efforts, it could – if correctly calibrated – lead to a step‐change in the way the EU funds fundamental research to support the needs of Europe’s armed forces.

IRIS: ARES – Armament Industry European Research Group http://www.iris-france.org/ares/

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