Press Release: New Directive on defence and security procurement enters into force

The new Directive 2009/81/EC on defence and security procurement entered into force on 21 August 2009. The Directive will be the cornerstone of a truly European Defence Market supporting the development of the European defence-related supplier base. Up until now, the vast majority of defence and sensitive security procurement contracts have been exempted from the Internal Market rules. One of the reasons for this is that the existing EU procurement rules are considered to be ill-suited for most defence- and security-related purchases. The new Directive will greatly improve this situation by providing tailor-made procurement rules for defence and security contracts. Member States now have at their disposal Community rules they can apply to complex and sensitive transactions without putting at risk their legitimate security interests.