Yesterday at 20:02
The EU is preparing a large-scale EU defense project aimed at deterring Russia and supporting Ukraine,
The European Union has developed a draft defense white paper that includes the development of the EU defense industry and aims to deter Russia and support Ukraine while the United States “loses focus” on the continent.
Politico writes about this.
“Rebuilding European defense requires significant investment over a long period of time,” the project says.
The document, prepared by EU Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius and EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas, is to be presented to EU leaders next week. The draft may still change before it is made public.
Important elements of the new Union policy include promoting arms production within the EU and by “like-minded third country companies,” encouraging joint arms procurement, facilitating financing of defense projects, focusing on key areas where the Union lacks capacity, such as air defense and military mobility, and reducing bureaucratic barriers to defense investment.
The driving force behind the new policy is the threat from Russia.
“Russia poses an existential threat to the Union, and given its past record of invading neighboring countries and its current expansionist policies, the need for deterrence against Russian armed aggression will remain even after a just and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine is concluded,” the document says.
The immediate priority will be to ensure that Ukraine can continue to repel Russian attacks.
“Without significant additional military resources, especially now that the United States has weakened its support, Ukraine will not be able to negotiate a just and lasting peace from a position of strength,” the draft states.
The 20-page document emphasizes the change in US policy toward Ukraine, Europe, and NATO.
“Europe cannot take American security guarantees for granted and must significantly increase its contribution to the preservation of NATO,” the draft says.
It emphasizes that NATO remains the basis of collective defense in Europe.
The document also states that Europe has become dependent on American military capabilities, which poses a danger now that the United States is “reconsidering its approach and may decide to limit the use or even stop providing these capabilities.”
The restructuring of the EU’s military-industrial complex means that the Union “should consider the possibility of introducing European preferences in public procurement for strategic sectors and defense-related technologies.”
The document emphasizes the need for joint procurement as a way to overcome the fragmentation of the EU defense market and provide countries with the financial power to conclude favorable deals. The European Commission could also act as a central procurement body, according to the draft.
In total, seven key areas for priority investment are outlined: air and missile defense; artillery systems; ammunition and missiles; drones and anti-drone systems; military mobility; artificial intelligence, “quantum, cyber, and electronic warfare”; and strategic assets, combat capabilities, and critical infrastructure protection.
It is noted that the EU countries will remain “in the driver’s seat” – a traditional painful issue for capitals concerned about Brussels’ interference in national sovereignty.
“Member states are responsible for their armed forces, from doctrine development to deployment. The radically changed strategic context, coupled with the acute lack of capabilities of Member States, requires much greater cooperation between Member States to rebuild their defense,” the document says.
Initial steps include the following: approving a proposed relaxation of fiscal rules to facilitate increased defense spending; agreeing to co-finance 35% of defense spending; approving a €1.5 billion European Defense Industry Program; and agreeing with NATO on critical capabilities.
The document also lays out a number of key measures to assist Ukraine, including the provision of 1.5 million artillery shells and air defense systems, continued training of the Ukrainian military, placing orders with the Ukrainian defense industry, closer involvement of Kyiv in EU military financing schemes, and the expansion of the Alliance’s military mobility corridors that cover Ukraine.
Concerned about US President Donald Trump’s threats to end US defense of the continent, Europe has promised to dramatically increase defense spending and build up its domestic capabilities, which have declined since the Cold War.
As a reminder, British Defense Secretary John Healey said that work on creating a coalition of the willing to support Ukraine’s security is accelerating.
