The European Defence Industrial Strategy as a catalyst for integration and sustainable growth: opportunities, limits, and barriers

This article examines the European Defence Industrial Strategy and its implementation tool, the European Defence Industrial Programme, as the European Union's response to the changed geopolitical reality following Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The analysis demonstrates how the return of full-scale conventional war to the European continent has exposed deep-seated structural weaknesses in the European defence industry, including its fragmentation, insufficient funding, and dependence on external suppliers. The primary objective is to analyse the mechanisms through which the aforementioned strategy seeks to address these challenges and transform the concept of strategic autonomy into a tangible and long-term sustainable economic and industrial project. Through a qualitative and comparative analysis of key EU documents and academic literature, the author not only identifies the main opportunities, such as strengthened political will and technological innovation, but also points to important limits and barriers, including national protectionism, financial dilemmas, and supply chain dependencies. The conclusion suggests that for a positive outcome, the strategy must be supported by a stable, long-term financial framework, a re-evaluation of ESG criteria, the promotion of dual-use technologies, etc. Its success is decisive for strengthening European economic and industrial competitiveness and increasing the level of its security and defence.