Arms export control for European cooperative programmes and Strategic Autonomy
Under the current treaties of the European Union ( Article 346 TFEU), arms export s are a national responsibility. Defence relations and specifically their export dimension constitute a crucial element of foreign policy. At the same time, export potential is a key factor in the international competitiveness of the defense industrial and technological bases (DITBs). Member States have solid experience in controlling arms exports to prevent the diversion of exported products to unauthorized destinations, such as countries subject to international sanctions established by the EU or the United Nations. According to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the European Defence Agency (EDA), European suppliers have significantly consolidated their footprint, with the 27 MS accounting for 28% of all global arms exports in 2021-2025. Cooperation in the arms sector has enabled the establishment of strat...