PhD student: Mr Y.M.H. den Besten

Promotor: E.R. Manunza

Duration: 1/3/2025 - 27/2/2029

Abstract:

Historically, the EU has been described as an economic giant and a political dwarf. However, in an increasingly power-driven, multipolar world, the EU strives to become a (stronger) geopolitical actor. In this respect, the concept of EU Strategic Autonomy in plain terms: the capacity of the EU to act independently and without reliance on actors from third countries has emerged as a central theme in the last decade. Although strategic autonomy can be (and has been) examined from various policy areas, the scope of present research project is the European defence industry. More specifically, the research aims to investigate what strategic autonomy means (and should mean: sein und sollen), how it can be achieved in European defence industries and what the (dual) constitutional effectiveness of collaborative procurement as a key instrument is in this context. The study will adopt a mixed-methods approach. Doctrinal legal analysis will explore the compatibility of collaborative procurement with existing EU (public procurement) law and its systemic fit within the EUs constitutional framework. Simultaneously, empirical research through semi-structured interviews with relevant (EU) stakeholders will clarify how strategic autonomy is understood in practice and further assesses the effectiveness of collaborative procurement. Finally, this research aims to offer both theoretical insight and practical recommendations on how the EU can constitutionally and efficiently shape its defence-industrial policy through strategic autonomy.