Regulation (EU) 2023/1525 on supporting ammunition production (ASAP)

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Series Details L 185, Pages 7-25
Publication Date 24/07/2023
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Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2023/1525 - adopted by the c0-legislators on 20 July 2023 - establishing the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP).

Further information:

Over the last decades, the armed forces of the European Union's (EU) Member States were tailored to perform expeditionary, peace-keeping and/or peace enforcement missions. The planning and procurement of defence systems was tailored according to that reality. The production capacity of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) followed suit and adapted to limited needs mostly along national dividing lines. Defence companies often faced the need to reduce production rates in order to keep production lines afloat and maintain skilled personnel.

However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine marked the return of high-intensity warfare on European soil. It reversed the existing market context. The underinvestment resulted capability and industrial gaps within the EU, as pointed out in a Joint Communication analysing defence investment gaps published in May 2022. In response to some of the conclusions of that analysis, the European Commission adopted a draft European Defence Industrial Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA).

While capability gaps are various, a pressing need for ground-to-ground ammunition and artillery ammunition, as well as missiles, was also identified. This was acknowledged by the European Council in March 2023. This Regulation establishes a set of measures and lays down a budget (Ramp-Up Fund) aimed at strengthening the responsiveness and ability of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to ensure the timely availability and supply of of ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles. It comprises an instrument financially supporting industrial reinforcement, and the establishment of mechanisms, principles and temporary rules to secure the timely and lasting availability of relevant defence in the EU.

The draft law was adopted by the European Commission on 3 May 2023, in response to the call by the European Council earlier in the year. The plenary of the European Parliament agreed on 9 May to fast-track this legislative file. On 1 June, the plenary adopted its negotiating position. The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach to the proposal on 23 June. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for this file was reached on 7 July. This was formally endorsed by Parliament on 13 July and by the Council on 20 July. The Act was signed by the co-legislators on 20 July 2023 and published in the Official Journal on 24 July 2023.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1525/oj
Related Links
Official
EUR-LEX: COM(2023)237: Proposal for a Regulation on establishing the Act in Support of Ammunition Production https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2023:237:FIN
European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Act in Support of Ammunition Production (2023/0140(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2023/0140(COD)
European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the Act in Support of Ammunition Production https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-europe-fit-for-the-digital-age/file-act-in-support-of-ammunition-procurement-(asap)
InterParliamentary EU information eXchange (IPEX): Proposal for a Regulation on establishing the Act in Support of Ammunition Production https://secure.ipex.eu/IPEXL-WEB/document/COM-2023-237
European Commission: Defence Industry and Space: The EU Defence industry https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry_en
European Commission: Press Release, 03/05/2023: Defence: €500 million and new measures to urgently boost EU defence industry capacities in ammunition production https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_2569
European Commission: Questions and Answers on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (3 May 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_23_2570
European Commission: Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) | Press conference by Commissioner Thierry Breton (3 May 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_2617
Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 03/05/2023: The EU must increase its ammunition production and defence capabilities, while continuing to help Ukraine https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-05-03/the-eu-must-increase-its-ammunition-production-and-defence-capabilities-while-continuing-to-help-ukraine
European Parliament: Press Release, 09/05/2023: More ammunition production to support Ukraine: MEPs to fast-track proposal https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230509IPR86104/
European Parliament: Press Release, 01/06/2023: MEPs endorse plan to provide more ammunition for Ukraine https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230524IPR91909/
S&D EP Group: Newsroom, 01/06/2023: S&Ds on Ammunition Act: Full support to Ukraine in their fight against Russian invasion https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/sds-ammunition-act-full-support-ukraine-their-fight-against-russian-invasion
ECR EP Group: News, 01/06/2023: Green light for speeding up ammunition production https://ecrgroup.eu/article/green_light_for_speeding_up_ammunition_production
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 23/06/2023: Boosting ammunition production in the EU defence industry: Council ready to negotiate with the European Parliament https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/23/boosting-ammunition-production-in-the-eu-defence-industry-council-ready-to-negotiate-with-the-european-parliament/
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 07/07/2023: ASAP: Council and European Parliament strike a deal on boosting the production of ammunition and missiles in the EU https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/07/07/asap-council-and-european-parliament-strike-a-deal-on-boosting-the-production-of-ammunition-and-missiles-in-the-eu/
European Parliament: Press Release, 07/07/2023: More ammunition for Ukraine: MEPs reach deal with Council https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230703IPR01910/
European Commission: Press Release, 07/07/2023: European defence industry: Commission welcomes political agreement on the support to ramp up the production capacities of ammunition and missiles https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3748
European Parliament: Press Release, 13/07/2023: MEPs approve plans to provide more ammunition for Ukraine https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230711IPR02613/

News
Reuters, 02/05/2023: EU plans to boost ammunition production to aid Ukraine https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-plans-boost-ammunition-production-aid-ukraine-2023-05-02/
Le Monde, 03/05/2023: EU unveils plan to accelerate ammunition production https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2023/05/03/eu-unveils-plan-to-accelerate-ammunition-production_6025261_19.html
Politico, 09/05/2023: EU Parliament votes to fast-track Ukraine ammo bill https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-parliament-votes-fast-track-ukraine-ammunition-bill-asap/
EurActiv, 09/05/2023: EU lawmakers speed process to boost ammunition production across Europe https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/eu-lawmakers-speed-process-to-boost-ammunition-production-across-europe/
The Sofia Globe, 01/06/2023: European Parliament endorses plan to provide more ammunition for Ukraine https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/06/01/european-parliament-endorses-plan-to-provide-more-ammunition-for-ukraine/
Radio Bulgaria (BNR), 01/06/2023: Bulgarian MEPs from the S&D Group did not support the draft bill to increase European production of ammunition and missiles https://bnr.bg/en/post/101831986/bulgarian-meps-from-the-sd-group-have-not-supported-the-draft-bill-to-increase-european-production-of-ammunition-and-missiles
Times of Malta, 12/06/2023: EU plan to use own funds to ramp up ammo production 'unacceptable' - Sant https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/eu-plan-use-funds-ramp-ammo-production-unacceptable-sant.1037141
Associated Press (AP News), 07/07/2023: EU takes a major step in approving plans to boost its anemic ammunition production to help Ukraine https://apnews.com/article/eu-ukraine-support-ammunition-war-russia-5d9c64af0f46de70674a7254b08272bd
Euronews, 13/07/2023: European Parliament backs EU funds for weapon and ammunition production https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/07/13/european-parliament-backs-eu-funds-for-weapon-and-ammunition-production
TVP World, 13/07/2023: EP agrees to ramp up ammunition production to support Ukraine https://tvpworld.com/71266141/ep-agrees-to-ramp-up-ammunition-production-to-support-ukraine
The Baltic Times, 13/07/2023: European Parlt approves plans to provide more ammunition for Ukraine https://www.baltictimes.com/european_parlt_approves_plans_to_provide_more_ammunition_for_ukraine/
The Brussels Times, 14/07/2023: European Parliament greenlights ammunition production hike https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/601603/european-parliament-greenlights-ammunition-production-hike

Commentary and Analysis
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): The Strategist, 11/04/2023: Europe’s ammunition will help bring a just peace in Ukraine (piece by EU's HR Foreign Policy Josep Borrell) https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/europes-ammunition-will-help-bring-a-just-peace-in-ukraine/
European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): At a Glance, 25/05/2023: Act in support of ammunition production https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)747909
NATO Defence College Foundation, 25/05/2023: The new EU ASAP ammunition plan https://www.natofoundation.org/food/the-new-eu-asap-ammunition-plan/#
European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 10/07/2023: Act in support of ammunition production (ASAP) https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)749782
EUObserver: Opinion, 18/07/2023: How the arms industry wins whether Ukraine wins or loses https://euobserver.com/opinion/157279

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