Kubilius: ‘We have invested in defence opportunities, now we’ll need money’

Brussels – The funds are not there yet, but they will be. Indeed, there is an issue for 2026 and 2027, but Europe’s defence was lagging and needed to start moving fast: exactly what this European Commission has done. This is the assessment of Defence Commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, who summarized what has been achieved so far as follows: “This year, we have invested in opportunities,” which are above all “capability opportunities.”

In a hearing in the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee, Kubilius recalls how the Union is still suffering from structural delays, which are the consequences of both time and the times. “Defence has always been national, coordinated by NATO,” with a single market until now, “not designed for defence”. Times have changed, and the von der Leyen team must now reckon with new contexts and logics, having worked hard to do so over the past year. He lists the achievements: on the one hand, EDIP, the 1.5 billion euro plan, which, he says, “is not important for resources, as 1.5 billion is not a lot” for what is needed, “but it is important for the industrial base; it is a big step forward” compared to the pre-existing situation.

Then there is SAFE, the 150 billion loan facility that Member States fully subscribed. “SAFE is another important tool,” continues Kubilius, convinced that what has happened so far is already a momentous change of course for the European Union, which does not intend to stop. The Defence Commissioner recalls the roadmap outlining actions and investments between now and 2030, as well as the Military Mobility Strategy scheduled for next week.

However, the real change of pace will only take place with the multiannual budget (MFF 2028-2027) from 2028 onwards. Until then, it will be necessary to proceed with existing resources, while resources are, in fact, lacking. “The new multi-year budgetary framework will mark a step forward,” given the increased amounts for defence, but from a financial point of view, “the problem arises for next year and 2027,” admits Kubilius. For the next two years, “will we find additional resources? That is the question, but I trust that those in charge will find the answer,” he said cryptically, referring to the work that will need to be done at multiple levels. However, he reassures: what has been done so far is in no way a programme in conflict with the Atlantic alliance. “NATO has military power, the EU has industrial power, and this implies that there is no overlap.”