European Sovereignty Monitor

Defence and space

EDA sets out ESOCA study findings on Europe's strategic airlift options

The European Defence Agency set out findings of the EUR 19.9 million EDF funded ESOCA study, led by Airbus Defence and Space with Leonardo, Safran Aircraft Engines and ITP Aero, weighing a modernised Antonov An-124 fleet against a new European aircraft to replace the Boeing C-17.

Reported AI-drafted AeroTime, 21 September 2026

What it does not test. It does not select a supplier, commit funding to build or buy any aircraft, or resolve Europe's chartered dependence on Antonov An-124s.

How this item counts. No movement: no answer to who owns, who operates, whose law governs or who made the parts changes. Weight 0. Study findings only, no supplier or aircraft decision; European-wide capability if pursued. European Sovereignty Index

How this item was made. Drafted by an AI system (Claude (Anthropic)) from the source cited above and published under the editor’s responsibility without a person reading it first. How the record is made

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