Towards the Implementation of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement Through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA)

On October 9, the Council of the EU adopted a regulation establishing an instrument that further paves the way for the entry into force of the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). This new instrument involves a €300 million budget that provides partial reimbursement to Member States jointly purchasing capabilities through consortia of at least three Members. Further conditions are set out for EDIRPA. Contractors and subcontractors must be established and must have their executive management structure in the EU or in an associated country. Moreover, at least 65 percent of the end products’ components must originate from the EU or an associated country.

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EU Divided on Status of Palestine Aid Following Hamas Attack on Israel

On October 7, Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on Israel (see Clarke, 2023). The Commission’s response so far has been a rare display of internal disunity, as Commissioner Várhelyi (2023a; 2023b) announced on October 9 that the EU would review and immediately suspend all aid to Palestine only for Commissioner Lenarčič (2023) to contradict him, saying that humanitarian aid would continue for as long as needed. Later, on October 9, the European Commission issued a statement confirming that it will not suspend aid, but that it is launching an urgent aid review (2023).

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A Humanitarian Crisis With Catastrophic Outlooks: The Impact Of The Lachin Corridor Blockade Within The Armenian-Azeri Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh

Since hostilities revamped in September 2020 after a long latency period, the ethnic Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh has suffered from inhuman and degrading treatment by the Azeri forces trying to restate control over the contended province. Notwithstanding the presence of Russian peacekeepers and the conditions imposed by the ceasefire agreement reached after the Second Karabakh War, Baku restricted locals’ freedom of movement with measures like the blockade on the Lachin Corridor, which represents the only road connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.

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Are Drones A War Game Changer? The Ukrainian Case

We cannot ignore or underestimate any more the increasingly important role that drones play in contemporary wars. The argument for which the usage of drones is dramatically changing historically deep-rooted war dynamics and allowing for quick military takeovers by those who more largely recur to these technologies still does not find a general consensus. However, the fact that their use is surging and having an impact on the conduct of modern warfare is undisputable.

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Visit to France and Italy to Boost Cooperation with the Two

On 9 October 2023, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on a diplomatic visit to France and Italy that will last until the 12th of the same month. Singh is set to meet with his Italian and French counterparts, Guido Crisetto and Sebastien Lecornu, to bolster the Indian strategic defence partnership with these nations and explore opportunities for military industry cooperation.

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