Defence Industry → More than 200 companies in the WB defence sector. → Bosnia produces up to 500,000 artillery shells/year (155mm). → Serbia manufactures artillery systems, rockets, armoured vehicles, drones, exporting to over 50 countries. → Smaller states developing their own industrial initiatives, drone, ammunition& explosives, often with Turkish investment. Strategic Enablers → Military mobility corridors connecting NATO’s Eastern and Southern flanks to the rest of Europe(Corridor 8: Adriatic–Black Sea). → Newly developed/developing NATO Kuçovë airbase and Porto Romano dual-use port(Albania), Krivolak training area – major facility(North Macedonia). → Balkan Medical Task Force. 3. Opportunities for Germany → Industrial Integration : Include WB producers in EDTIB supply chains, through joint investements and partnerships. → Joint Procurement : Partner with WB states in procurements to cut costs& standardise systems. → Infrastructure Investment : Help to secure funding for dual-use transport& logistics hubs. → Training& Exercises : Expand joint German–WB exercises to build trust& interoperability. → Enlargement Linkage : Tie defence cooperation to EU accession incentives. 4. Policy Recommendations 1. Champion WB inclusion in EU defence programmes (EDIP, EDF, EDA). 2. Leverage German defence industry to create joint production/maintenance ventures in WB. 3. Support WB integration into EU military mobility funding priorities. 4. Tie cooperation to governance reforms to ensure transparency in defence spending. 5. Use the region’s defence potential to push for enlargement. 5. Strategic Bottom Line The Western Balkans are shifting from security consumers to security providers. For Germany, integrating them into EU defence planning: → Strengthens NATO’s southern and eastern flanks; → Increases affordable production capacity; → Improves resilience of supply chains; → Anchors the WB firmly in the EU’s strategic community. → German engagement now can turn the WB into a long-term asset for European and national security, while speeding up the region’s EU accession. Disclaimer: The report“Europe’s Overlooked Allies: Why the Western Balkans Matter for EU Defence Readiness” was prepared in the framework of the initiative think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration by the Hellenic Foundation for European& Foreign Policy(ELIAMEP), sup ­ported by the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans. It ex­plores the strategic importance of the Western Balkans in the con­text of the European Union’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and enhanced defence readiness. The report argues that, despite not yet being EU member states, Western Balkan countries have increas­ingly demonstrated their value as security contributors and part­ners. This role is both timely and essential as the EU faces the con­sequences of the war in Ukraine and potential shifts in the transatlantic security relationship. September, 2025 Weitere Informationen zum Projekt: ↗ soe.fes.de Friedrich Ebert Stiftung e.V. Dialogue Southeast Europe Contact person: Sarah Hees Kalyani Regional Coordinator Harun Cero Program Manager harun.cero@fes.de