The changing geopolitical landscape, as well as NATO’s shifted focus to expeditionary warfare, encouraged EU Member States to address the EU’s military capability shortfalls via a more binding and cooperative framework . The European Defence Fund’s establishment (EDF) and the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU finally led France and Germany to take the political initiative and activate PESCO by establishing a legal framework for enhanced defence cooperation and integration. Through the fulfilment of the 20 binding commitments in line with Article 42(6) and 46 of the Treaty on European Union, the 25 participating Member States agreed to establish a “permanent structured cooperation” . This initiative aims at boosting operational readiness by improving armed forces’ interoperability, standardising military doctrines and equipment at a higher communitarian level.