In this issue of European Defence Matters, we review the impressive work done so far on CARD, PESCO and EDF and assess the main first lessons learned for each of them during their initial implementation phase. Importantly, we also give the floor to certain Member States to assess if and how the new EU mechanics have already impacted the way national defence planning is approached in European capitals. We also shine a spotlight on several collaborative projects run by EDA on such diversified topics as the Cooperative Financial Mechanism (CFM), cyber defence and military diving standards.