In July, the European Commission proposed the creation of "European Defence Projects of Common Interest" (EDPCIs) to the twenty-seven European Union member states, as well as Ukraine and Norway. These projects are designed to be large-scale industrial initiatives that allow countries to work together on major defense efforts that are too complex or expensive for any single nation to handle alone. The Commission believes that by supporting long-term collaboration, these projects will help strengthen the European defense industry and improve the EU's ability to respond to shared security challenges, in line with the priorities of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Five areas were identified as key priorities for these defense projects: drones and anti-drone measures, space technology, maritime and seabed defense, air defense, and enhancing security along the EU's eastern border. The estimated total cost of these projects ranges from 185.5 to 281 billion euros. On September 28, after a Foreign Affairs Council meeting focused on defense, the European Commission said it welcomed the decision by member states to approve these five projects. This approval opens the way for funding of 325 million euros from the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), which has a total budget of 1.5 billion euros. The Commission emphasized that this decision is a key part of EDIP, which aims to support the European defense industry and help develop critical military capabilities for the security of the EU and its member states. The Commission will now work closely with the participating countries to support the implementation of the projects and monitor progress toward achieving the set goals and milestones. One of the most ambitious projects, called "Eastern Flank Watch," could require up to 100 billion euros in investments by 2036. It is mainly supported by countries in Central and Eastern Europe, with additional backing from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Cyprus. France, however, has chosen not to participate in this particular project. Other projects include "DECODER," focusing on drones and anti-drone technology; a program for integrated air and missile defense with early warning systems, costing between 55 and 80 billion euros; the "SPACE" initiative, with a budget of 24 billion euros; and an integrated maritime and seabed defense project, expected to cost between 43 and 72 billion euros by 2034. Andrius Kubilius, the European commissioner for Defense and Space, said the approval of these projects demonstrates that Europe can be ambitious and keep its commitments. He noted that member states, with the support of the EU, are coming together to share expertise and invest in the capabilities needed for the continent's security.