Defense, Kubilius: “+1 percent EU GDP means an extra 200 billion for the sector”

Brussels – “In terms of EU gross domestic product, a +1 percent means an extra 200 billion euros” to be made available for defense and industry. Andrius Kubilius, Defense Commissioner in the second von der Leyen commission, presented his recipe for the new Europe at a hearing in the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Subcommittee. There is a desire to get the sector back on track because, if you look at the financial aspect, “so far we have not been serious,” the commissioner said, criticizing not so much the European Defense Fund but its available resources.

“We barely have 10 billion euros over seven years,” which is not much. However, Kubilius expects “the next multi-year budget (MFF 2028-2034) to have a bigger spending line.” The European Commission will begin work on the next budget in 2025, but the intention to rewrite it properly is already there. The joint increase in spending by 200 billion euros is proof of that. After all, it is the changed context that requires it. “The issue of Ukraine will remain on the agenda for a while longer, certainly for 2025,” the defense commissioner admits. In this regard, it must be considered from an anti-Russian perspective.

“We need to show [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that he will get nowhere in Ukraine.” However, to do this, it is necessary to continue with military support to Kyiv and increase production in the sector because “you stop aggression with artillery and tanks.” So, we need to boost output. To do that, we need clear strategies.

“The industry in the sector demands plans; it wants numbers.” The defense world “wants to know what and how much to produce,” answers that only governments can give. In short, Kubilius is asking the European Parliament for support in coordinating the joint procurement policy advocated by the defense industry community.  It is no longer possible to delay the financial and political momentum. Besides,  “if the Draghi report stresses the importance of defense, it is because this can give competitiveness to our economy,” Kubilius said.