Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE) - European Parliament

A five-member delegation from the SEDE Committee was in Kyiv on 5 and 6 February 2026. The aim of this mission was to convey European Parliament's unwavering support to Ukraine and to listen to Ukrainian military needs for achieving peace through strength and defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression. High-level political meetings with Rada, Ministries, President's Office, Mayor of Kyiv, anti-corruption institutions, civil society representatives and defence industry were held.
SEDE mission report including the final programme
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The SEDE delegation’s mission to Djibouti and in particular to the EU's CSDP Operation "EUNAVFOR ASPIDES" provided a timely opportunity to assess the operational realities, strategic relevance and regional context of the EU’s maritime presence in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. The mission also offered an opportunity to examine the broader EU and Member State presence in Djibouti, including its political partnerships, military infrastructure and operational support functions.
SEDE mission report including the programme
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The next meeting of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 2 September 2026 from 9.00 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 18.30 and Thursday, 3 September 2026 from 9.00 - 12.30 in Brussels (room TBC).

Further information about the SEDE meetings can be found here.
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SEDE missions 2026:

• Canada - 26-28 May 2026
• Taiwan - 30 March - 2 April 2026
• Poland and Czechia - 16-18 February 2026
• Ukraine - 5-6 February 2026

SEDE missions 2025:

• Djibouti - 27-29 October 2025
  
• Greenland - 15-19 September 2025
  
• Norway - 27-30 May 2025
• Moldova and Ukraine - 14-17 April 2025
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24-27 February 2025
• Israel and Palestine - 5-8 February 2025

SEDE missions 2024:

• United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
• Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024

SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2026
SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2025
EP calendar 2026
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

DRAFT REPORT on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2026
Committee on Security and Defence
Nathalie Loiseau

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The next meeting of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 2 September 2026 from 9.00 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 18.30 and Thursday, 3 September 2026 from 9.00 - 12.30 in Brussels (room TBC).

Further information about the SEDE meetings can be found here.
_______________________


SEDE missions 2026:

• Canada - 26-28 May 2026
• Taiwan - 30 March - 2 April 2026
• Poland and Czechia - 16-18 February 2026
• Ukraine - 5-6 February 2026

SEDE missions 2025:

• Djibouti - 27-29 October 2025
  
• Greenland - 15-19 September 2025
  
• Norway - 27-30 May 2025
• Moldova and Ukraine - 14-17 April 2025
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24-27 February 2025
• Israel and Palestine - 5-8 February 2025

SEDE missions 2024:

• United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
• Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024

SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2026
SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2025
EP calendar 2026
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the rapid battlefield adaptation that it has led to, defence innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being seen as key contributors to Europe’s industrial preparedness, production scalability and security of supply. To this end, recent European Union (EU) policy and financial initiatives have specifically targeted SMEs in the defence sector, to address the financial, regulatory and industrial bottlenecks facing SMEs in Europe. However, SMEs still face considerable challenges and barriers. This Study examines the evolving role of SMEs within the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). It specifically analyses the persistent barriers preventing SMEs from entering the defence market in Europe, and, once present, from scaling their innovation, services and products. The Study argues that, despite the growing political recognition of SMEs as sources of technological and disruptive innovation, SMEs still face considerable financial, regulatory and political barriers to access the EDTIB.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Ministers hold a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council in the relevant policy fields.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Development
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Fisheries
Committee on Regional Development
Committee on Public Health
Committee on Security and Defence
Committee on Transport and Tourism

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The draft law aims to respond to the new security environment shaped by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, where fast and low-cost defence innovation cycles are critical.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Security and Defence

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Length of video : 180'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The DROI Subcommittee held a workshop on Human control and AI-enabled military systems: human rights risks, accountability and policy options for the European Union. The discussion examined the human rights implications of the growing use of artificial intelligence in military systems, focusing on meaningful human control, accountability, transparency and possible policy responses at EU level.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being integrated into military systems, including intelligence, surveillance, command and control, decision-support and targeting functions. These developments raise important questions about human oversight, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly where AI-enabled systems influence decisions with potentially significant human rights consequences.

The workshop presented the findings of a study commissioned by the DROI Subcommittee and discussed the challenges posed by AI-enabled military systems, including algorithmic opacity, automation bias and the allocation of responsibility across public authorities and private actors. It also explored possible policy options for the European Union and the role of the European Parliament in promoting meaningful human control, democratic oversight and respect for fundamental rights in this rapidly evolving field.

Draft programme
Live streaming
Poster
Photos
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The next meeting of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 from 9:00 - 12:30 and 14:30 - 18:30 in Brussels (room ANTALL 6Q2).
An extraordinary SEDE meeting with the Irish Presidency will be held on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 from 14:00 - 16:00 in Brussels (SPAAK 5B1).
Further information about the SEDE meetings can be found here.
_______________________


SEDE missions 2026:

• Canada - 26-28 May 2026
• Taiwan - 30 March - 2 April 2026
• Poland and Czechia - 16-18 February 2026
• Ukraine - 5-6 February 2026

SEDE missions 2025:

• Djibouti - 27-29 October 2025
  
• Greenland - 15-19 September 2025
  
• Norway - 27-30 May 2025
• Moldova and Ukraine - 14-17 April 2025
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24-27 February 2025
• Israel and Palestine - 5-8 February 2025

SEDE missions 2024:

• United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
• Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024

SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2026
SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2025
EP calendar 2026
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Length of video : 75'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Length of video : 90'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Length of video : 60'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP