Categories: Finances

Let’s equip our armies with weapons manufactured in the EU

The EU is at a turning point. The US is shifting its priorities. Russia, according to Emmanuel Macron, is dedicating 10 per cent of its GDP to defence, and Europe is realising it must do more to ensure its own security. In the face of growing threats, we no longer have the luxury of inaction. We must invest massively in our European defence.

For several years, the EU has been undergoing change. Before he resigned in September last year, commissioner Thierry Breton had launched initiatives such as Act in Support of Ammunition Production and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act to accelerate military production and procurement in Europe. Today, we know that the new commissioner for defence and space, Andrius Kubilius, is fully committed to this effort.

But rearmament is not just about buying more weapons. It is about ensuring that we control the ones we own. An army that relies on foreign equipment risks being denied its use in times of crisis. Recent history proves this: Colombia sought to purchase Swedish Gripen fighter jets, but the US is threatening to block the sale because these aircraft contain American components. Closer to home, Germany attempted to deliver ammunition to Ukraine, but Switzerland blocked the transfer.

If we want a strong European defence, we must ensure that every euro invested is used to equip our armies with weapons designed and manufactured within the EU. The purchase of armaments outside Europe should be limited to very exceptional circumstances (production shortages for example). Our European industries already produce fighter jets, tanks, satellites, missiles and advanced defence systems. There is room in every European country to develop skills and expand production capacities in the defence industry. What is lacking is not capability, but the clear political will to invest in producing and purchasing European equipment.

Two weekends ago, European leaders and allies gathered to discuss the future of our collective security. They agreed on the need to increase defence budgets across Europe. But spending more is not enough — that money must also guarantee our strategic autonomy.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed €800bn to re-arm the EU. This is a strong signal. But these funds must be invested in Europe, for Europe.

Christophe Grudler
Member of the European Parliament (France, Renew Europe), Coordinator for the Industry Committee

Urmas Paet
MEP (Estonia, Renew Europe), former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

Engin Eroglu
Germany

Charles Gorens
Luxembourg

Yvan Verougstraete
Belgium

Hilde Vautmans
Belgium

Elio di Rupo
Belgium

Radan Kanev
Bulgaria

Mika Aaltola
Finland

Merja Kyllönen
Finland

Tomáš Zdechovský
Czechia

Markéta Gregorová
Czechia