Defence procurement of dual-use goods: Is there a single market in the European union?

The Single European Market seeks to eliminate the preferential public purchasing of civil goods and services. Article 223 of the Treaty of Rome allows exemptions for specifically military equipment but not for dual-use goods. This paper reviews evidence on whether Defence Ministries and the Armed Forces are continuing to discriminate in favour of their domestic suppliers when purchasing dual-use goods. It concludes that there remain substantial opportunities for opening-up dual-use procurement markets.