France, Oct. 17 -- As the European Union agrees on a €1.5 billion programme to boost its defence industry, the question now is whether this initiative can deliver the strategic autonomy Brussels is seeking - and quickly enough to meet the bloc's mounting security challenges.

Leaders hope the new European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), agreed on Thursday after months of resistance from some EU members, will reverse Europe's reliance on imported arms, notably from the United States.

But with just €1.5 billion earmarked for 2025-2027 and manufacturing gaps to close, doubts remain about how quickly Europe's fragmented defence sector can pivot.

"We want to be defence-ready by 2030," said European Commission Presi...