Brussels: The EU Council has sanctioned £59.5 million (approximately $68.5 million) in military aid for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Jordan under the European Peace Facility (EPF), aiming to enhance their defense capabilities and regional security.
According to Anadolu Agency, the council has allocated £10 million ($11.5 million) to provide the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) with military equipment. This is the second measure in support of FARDC, raising the total EPF assistance to £30 million ($34.5 million). The aid is intended to bolster FARDC's ability to protect civilians and restore state authority by supplying non-lethal equipment for command and control, deployment, medical operations, and river-border surveillance patrols, with deliveries anticipated by 2026.
The council has also earmarked £14.5 million ($16.7 million) in assistance for the Armed Forces of Chad (ANT), marking the EU's initial bilateral EPF support to Chad, which already benefits from EU backing through the Multi-National Task Force against Boko Haram and the G5 Sahel Joint Force. The EU will support the professionalization of the ANT by upgrading the Koundoul Academy for non-commissioned officers (ENSOA-K), providing educational equipment, and revising its curriculum as per Chad's request.
Additionally, the council approved £35 million ($40.3 million) in EPF aid to fortify the Jordanian Armed Forces, bringing total EU support for Jordan under the facility to £55.25 million ($63.66 million). The decision highlights the EU's increasing engagement with Jordan, reflected in the recent EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership agreement. The measure aims to strengthen Jordan's air defense and regional security by supplying short-range radars, a local command and control system, and related supplies and training to the Jordanian army.
The EPF, established in March 2021, provides funding for EU actions under its common foreign and security policy, including support for the defense capacities of third countries and international organizations.