PESCO’s Sixth Wave and Europe’s Strategic Bet on Disruptive Defence Technologies

The sixth wave of PESCO projects, formally launched by the Council of the European Union on 27 May 2025, marks a significant advancement in the EU’s ambition to develop strategic autonomy through collaborative defence innovation. The 11 new initiatives approved under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework bring the total number of ongoing projects to 75, underscoring a consistent political and operational commitment by the 26 participating member states. While PESCO has traditionally focused on improving interoperability, readiness, and joint capability development, this latest wave introduces a notable shift toward cutting-edge technologies that carry both military and industrial implications. Specifically, the inclusion of quantum systems and directed energy capabilities points to a deliberate strategic pivot towards emerging and potentially disruptive domains of future conflict.