On September 17, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the new College of Commissioners, introducing a range of portfolios—some entirely new, others updated, and familiar ones like Budget and Transport. Notably, she announced the appointment of a Commissioner for Defence and Space. Over the past months various speculations have been around on what a dedicated EU Commissioner for defence means and what areas will the portfolio cover.

Andrius Kubilius (Lithuania) has been nominated as the new Defence Commissioner, who will work to boost the EU’s defence investment and industrial capacity, and focus on developing the European Defence Union. Besides, most probably we can speculate that he will also oversee the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS). His responsibilities will include managing key defence industrial programs and policies, such as the European Defence Fund (EDF), the Action Plan on Military Mobility, the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), and the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS). One of Kubilius’s key tasks will presumably be enhancing joint procurement of arms and ammunition, standardizing defence equipment, and addressing critical gaps in EU military capabilities. To achieve this, closer collaboration with the European Defence Agency (EDA) will be highly needed.

However, despite the focus on the defence industry, it remains unclear how closely Kubilius will coordinate with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), Kaja Kallas (Estonia) on broader defence initiatives. These include the implementation of the Strategic Compass, the development of the Rapid Deployment Capacity, and various Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects.

In other words, the cooperation between the EU Defence Commissioner and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP) should be complementary, with a focus on aligning industrial, strategic, and operational priorities. Close coordination would be needed to ensure that defence initiatives, such as procurement and capability development, are aligned with broader EU strategic objectives like the Strategic Compass. Given that the HRVP manages EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the Defence Commissioner can ensure that military forces have the necessary equipment and logistical support to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of CSDP missions and operations.  Overall, a strong and stable cooperation between the two roles would be crucial for Europe’s security and defence capabilities.

Thus, a Defence Commissioner can be a turning point if oversees the various different aspects of defence. This includes not only the industrial and technological aspects, such as arms procurement and innovation, but also the strategic and operational elements, like military coordination, personnel training, and joint defence initiatives. It is essential to recognize that the defence sector is highly interconnected—military capabilities require proper equipment, skilled personnel, the necessary human resources, and strong industrial support. Neglecting any element could hinder the EU’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives.

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