“Many European procurement contracts given to third-country suppliers”, the European defense industry warned

Brussels – Think ‘European’ now more than ever when considering security and defense. The European Union must know how to stay true to its ambitions and agendas. Just ahead of the international Munich Security Conference, the defense industry wants to show European states how to provide for European security. ASD Europe, the association of European manufacturers, stresses the need to change a logic that is not good for European security. “Many European procurement contracts are given to third-country suppliers,” the association stresses. “This trend must be reversed“

The external relations of the EU and its member states risk hindering defense industry growth. In response to the tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, the idea of buying more from America, specifically in defense, begins to take shape in EU institutions as a way to overcome trade barriers and restore peaceful relations with the trans-Atlantic partner. However, it would contradict the Draghi report and the European agenda to revitalize a strategic security sector.

“We must spend more and more European,” ASD Europe reiterates after already sounding the alarm in recent months on the economic dependence on non-EU players in the defense industry: “A strong European defence industrial base is essential to European defence preparedness, it is a defence capability in itself.” Staying within the ‘Made in the EU’ framework is, the way forward, not to abandon. “European preference is a strategic imperative,” and if the EU wants to play a significant role on the international stage, “Europe must bolster its own production capacity” rather than rely on external sources.

Hence, the European defense industry makes valuable suggestions to policymakers. The critical issue is always ensuring that “European defence solutions should be given priority, wherever possible. ” If no European solution exists, the focus should be on developing one. Finally, non-European procurements must never hinder EU development, if there truly is no viable EU solution.