Advisors or advocates? The European defence industry as a political actor in EU policymaking

The rapid expansion of European Union (EU) defence policy has made defence industry actors increasingly important in EU policymaking. However, we still know little about the conditions shaping their access to EU-level decision-makers and their ability to shape policies. This paper argues that the defence industry plays a crucial role in EU policymaking by providing expertise and information to the Commission while also seeking to influence policies. This creates a dual role as both advisors and advocates, an aspect which is still largely under-explored in current scholarship on EU defence governance. This paper addresses this research gap by comparing two recent defence initiatives: the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and the White Paper on Defence – Readiness 2030. Relying on elite interviews with defence industry representatives, EU and member state officials, as well as public statements, the analysis demonstrates how the Commission structures defence industry consultations depending on policy type, which shapes the defence industry’s access and influence. Overall, this paper shows that access does not automatically lead to influence. Instead, defence industry influence is dependent on how the Commission chooses to use defence industry input, which in turn is determined by its expertise and institutional position.