This Week in Defence — Brussels (#12, 2026)
Commission prepares €90bn Ukraine Support Loan; €1.5bn EDIP work programme adopted; EU delivers €1.4bn revenue from Russian assets; Council extends and amends maritime security operations; Iran sanctions updated.
March 29, 2026 to April 04, 2026
Commission prepares €90bn Ukraine Support Loan; €1.5bn EDIP work programme adopted; EU delivers €1.4bn revenue from Russian assets; Council extends and amends maritime security operations; Iran sanctions updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE): On April 08, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Framework of measures to facilitate the transport of military equipment, goods and personnel across the Union.
European Commission
Commission advances €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan and procurement derogations for drones
On 31 March 2026, the European Commission initiated preparatory steps for the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, with €45 billion proposed for allocation in 2026. The package includes a proposal for the Council to approve the overall financial support and a decision enabling Ukraine to use procurement derogations for drones under the loan’s defence product schedule. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the Commission is ready to mobilize the budget and procure defence equipment, focusing on Ukraine's drone industry. Budget support will reach €16.7 billion, equally split between the Ukraine Facility and Macro-Financial Assistance, while €28.3 billion is earmarked for defence procurement. The instrument accompanies conditions on rule of law, anti-corruption, and economic resilience. Next steps include Council adoption of the legal basis, after which the Commission will finalize operational arrangements and launch the first disbursements and procurements.
EU delivers €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets for Ukraine
On 30 March 2026, the European Union transferred €1.4 billion in windfall profits generated by interest on immobilised Russian Central Bank assets, held by central securities depositories. The proceeds are directed to support Ukraine, with 95% allocated through the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and 5% via the European Peace Facility. These measures are part of EU sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Regulation 2025/2600 prohibits transfers of immobilised Russian assets back to Russia. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis reiterated that these funds sustain the Ukrainian state and armed forces.
Commission adopts €1.5 billion work programme to boost European and Ukrainian defence industry
On 29 March 2026, the Commission approved a €1.5 billion work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). Over €700 million supports the production increase of counter-drone systems, missiles, and ammunition, including €260 million under the Ukraine Support Instrument for collaborative projects in Ukraine and Europe. European Defence Projects of Common Interest receive €325 million, with joint procurement allocated €240 million. Defence start-ups and SMEs benefit from €100 million in equity support via the FAST fund, and the BraveTech EU initiative receives €35.3 million for innovation. EDIP calls for proposals open from 31 March 2026. The programme aims to enhance defence readiness and industrial cooperation, with grants available until 2027.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/778 amends EUNAVFOR ASPIDES mandate for Red Sea security
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/778 of 30 March 2026 extends EUNAVFOR ASPIDES until 28 February 2027 and adds tasks such as collecting and sharing information on critical submarine infrastructures, training Djiboutian maritime forces, and cooperation with the Yemeni Coast Guard. The decision links these tasks to other Union initiatives, including CRIMARIO and EU assistance measures under the European Peace Facility.
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/793 reconfirms EUNAVFOR MED IRINI authorisation
PSC Decision (CFSP) 2026/793 of 17 March 2026 prolongs the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation in the Mediterranean from 1 April to 31 July 2026. The authorisation is subject to four-monthly reconfirmation and continues monitoring for migration pull factors.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/777 amends EUNAVFOR ATALANTA tasks in West Indian Ocean and Red Sea
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/777 of 30 March 2026 aligns the mandate of EUNAVFOR ATALANTA with ASPIDES regarding shadow fleet monitoring, discontinues monitoring charcoal trade, and adds collection and sharing of information on critical submarine infrastructures as a non-executive task.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/762 and Council Regulation (EU) 2026/759 update Iran sanctions
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/762 and Council Regulation (EU) 2026/759, both adopted 30 March 2026, update restrictive measures against Iran to reference Regulation (EU) 2021/821, replacing Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 for dual-use goods and technology. The amendments reinforce controls on exports and reporting obligations under the revised legal basis.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/774 updates designated persons and entities in Iran sanctions
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/774 of 30 March 2026 amends Decision 2010/413/CFSP by removing six persons and two entities from Annex II and updating five entries. The measure follows a review of designated persons and entities under EU restrictive measures.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/761 provides EPF assistance to Beninese Armed Forces
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/761 of 30 March 2026 establishes a €10 million assistance measure under the European Peace Facility for the Beninese Armed Forces. The support covers non-lethal equipment, intelligence analysis tools, training aircraft, simulators, and related services, implemented by Défense Conseil International over a 30-month period.
PSC Decision (CFSP) 2026/768 appoints Rear Admiral Andrea Bielli as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI
PSC Decision (CFSP) 2026/768 of 24 March 2026 appoints Rear Admiral Andrea Bielli as EU Force Commander for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, effective 1 April 2026. The decision repeals the previous appointment of Commodore Spyridon Pollatos.
EP Committee Work
Committee on Budgetary Control issues opinion on Horizon Europe regulation 2028–2034
On 31 March 2026, the Committee on Budgetary Control (rapporteur Olivier Chastel) adopted its opinion on the proposal for the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2028–2034), repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695. The opinion recommends measures to strengthen EU technological leadership, resilience, and strategic autonomy, with a focus on dual-use technologies. It calls for simplified access and reporting for SMEs, performance-based funding, and transparency in beneficiary data. The opinion includes amendments for improved financial oversight, conflict-of-interest prevention, and harmonised procedures across EU programmes. The document was submitted for consideration to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy as part of the legislative process.
Committee on Culture and Education provides opinion on Horizon Europe regulation
On 30 March 2026, the Committee on Culture and Education (rapporteur Laurence Farreng) published its opinion on the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2028–2034). The opinion addresses policy aspects related to research, innovation, and education, contributing to the legislative review by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
What We're Reading This Week
- German conscription law: men need permit for stays abroad: Germany now requires men eligible for conscription to obtain official permission before traveling or residing abroad.
- Passage denied: Oil and gas prices swing wildly as Hormuz crisis drags on: Prolonged tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global energy markets, fueling sharp volatility in oil and gas prices.
- Portugal's drone exports to Ukraine are double its sales to Russia: Portugal is supplying twice as many drones to Ukraine as to Russia, signaling a shift in its export priorities.
- Putin releases two Hungarian-Ukrainian prisoners of war during Moscow talks: Putin frees two Hungarian-Ukrainian POWs in a gesture likely aimed at improving Russia-Hungary relations amid ongoing conflict.
- Newsletter: Sánchez to Trump: “No War": Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez urges Trump to avoid military conflict, emphasizing diplomacy amid rising international tensions.
