Committees · Security and Defence

SEDE

1 ESN seat

Security and Defence.

The Committee on Security and Defence deals with the Union’s security and defence policy, including the Common Security and Defence Policy, defence capabilities, military mobility, the defence industry, hybrid threats, cyber resilience, EU missions and operations, and security partnerships with NATO, third countries and international organisations.

ESN seats

Members total

Subcommittees

2024–29

10th term

Mandate & Tasks

What This Committee Handles.

It scrutinises EU defence initiatives and external security action.

Key facts · SEDE

Full name

Committee on Security and Defence

Size

30 members

ESN seats

1 of 30

Subcommittees

Meeting cycle

Legal basis

Annex VI of the EP Rules of Procedure

ESN in SEDE

SEDE will remain central to debates on European defence readiness

— ESN Committee Booklet · Committee on Security and Defence

Remit

Four Policy Areas of the Committee.

ESN Position

Our Line in the Committee.

The Group’s priorities in this committee, as set out in the ESN Committee Booklet.

Security Policy Based on National Sovereignty

In SEDE, ESN defends a security policy based on national sovereignty, strong Member State control and credible defence capabilities.

Practical Cooperation Against Real Threats

It supports practical cooperation against real security threats, hybrid warfare, terrorism and hostile foreign interference.

Opposing Centralisation of Defence Powers

At the same time, ESN opposes centralisation of defence powers at EU level, permanent military structures that weaken national control and financing models that reduce the authority of national parliaments.

ESN Members in SEDE

One Seat in This Committee.

The ESN seat in SEDE is held by the Members listed below. The named assignment is updated at the start of each session period.

Full Member

Hans NEUHOFF

Substitute Member

Roberto VANNACCI

As of 2026 · Full list with named assignments available on request from the secretariat

Track record

Key Achievements.

Hans Neuhoff has established ESN as an active voice in SEDE, with shadow responsibility for major defence files including flagship European defence projects, strategic defence and security partnerships, drones and new systems of warfare, the European Defence Industry Programme and the opinion related to ReArm Europe. ESN has used these files to defend national responsibility for defence, oppose excessive Commission powers and new EU-level financing structures, and promote a security policy focused on capability, resilience and accountability rather than federalist integration.

ESN in action

Took shadow responsibility for major defence and security files.

Opposed excessive Commission powers and new EU financing structures.

Promoted capability, resilience, accountability and NATO compatibility.

Outlook

Looking Ahead.

SEDE will remain central to debates on European defence readiness, military mobility, ReArm Europe, SAFE, defence-industrial policy, cyber and hybrid threats, security support for Ukraine and strategic partnerships. ESN will scrutinise whether new initiatives respect Member State sovereignty, national budgetary control and NATO compatibility, while supporting practical measures that strengthen Europe’s real security capacity.

Documents

From the Parliament.

Studies, briefings and meeting documents of this committee, published by the European Parliament.

Opinion Letter · 2026

SEDE Opinion on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027

Draft Report · 2026

Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2026

Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union Civil Protection Mechanism and Union support for health emergency preparedness and response, and repealing Decision No 1313/2013/EU (Union Civil Protection Mechanism)

Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509

Draft Report · 2026

From prototypes to capabilities – enabling new defence actors to scale up

Draft Report · 2026

Hybrid warfare and the protection of the EU’s territorial integrity and critical security and defence infrastructure

Draft Opinion · 2026

Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a Council regulation laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2028 to 2034

Related committees

Also of Interest.

Three closely related committees in which the ESN Group is represented.

INTA

International Trade

The Committee on International Trade is Parliament's lead committee for the European Union's common commercial policy.

DEVE

Development

The Committee on Development is responsible for EU development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

DROI

Human Rights

The Subcommittee on Human Rights monitors the human-rights dimension of the European Union's external action and international relations.