EU Defense Ministers Double Number Of EU Joint Defense Projects To 34 - Document

BRUSSELS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th November, 2018) The defense ministers of the EU member states adopted on Monday at a meeting in Brussels a plan, under which the number of joint EU defense and security projects will double to 34, with the new projects being related to unmanned aerial vehicles suppression, tactical missile systems, electronic warfare systems, and chemical threat tracking systems, a document, published on the official website of the European Council and the Council of the European Union, said.

The previous 17 EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects were adopted in early March.

According to the updated list of PESCO projects, EU states are planning to develop a new generation medium range Beyond Line Of Sight missile systems facility, set to be integrated on a variety of platforms. France, Belgium and Cyprus will engage in this program.

A total of 10 EU countries will participate in the development of the Integrated Unmanned Ground System, set to transport various payloads and sensors.

Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, France, and Italy will engage in the creation of the European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, while Germany and Cyprus will be tasked to establish a Joint EU Intelligence school, where EU intelligence personnel will receive education and training.

Italy and the Czech Republic will develop an "advanced and efficient" Counter Unmanned Aerial System, set to counter the threat posed by mini and micro unmanned aerial systems.

Electronic Warfare Capability and Interoperability Program for Future Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance is also on the list, as well as a service for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear surveillance.