From our correspondent in Strasbourg – Rather than talking about a utopian European army, in order to start building a defence union, it is better to focus efforts on the technological gaps highlighted by ongoing conflicts. With two non-binding resolutions adopted today (11 March), the European Parliament has pointed the way towards a more integrated single defence market and “flagship projects” to develop common defence capabilities.
The first resolution, approved by 393 votes to 169 with 67 abstentions, outlines the vision for a stronger and more integrated single defence market, aimed at strengthening deterrence and the European defence industrial and technological base (EDTIB). Drafted by socialist Tobias Cremer, it is based on five key elements: establishing the “Buy European” principle as the standard in defence procurement, revising the procurement directive to adapt it to today’s defence realities and rapid innovation cycles, introducing mutual recognition of certifications and security clearances and removing unnecessary barriers to intra-EU transfers of defence goods, establishing joint funding dedicated to innovative technologies, and strengthening EU-NATO cooperation through a comprehensive agreement on norms and standards.
“In a new world order dominated by major powers, a single European defence market is not an ambitious ideal, but an urgent necessity,” said Cremer, insisting that “only by fully exploiting the potential of the single market can we create a defence system in which every euro invested generates maximum innovation, security, and cost efficiency.”
The second resolution, approved with 448 votes in favour, 122 against, and 38 abstentions, was also put forward by the S&D. Its rapporteur, Lucia Annunziata, explained that the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) started from the input provided by the Commission to “close the gap between old and new warfare.” This is because the war in Ukraine and, even more so, the new conflict in the Middle East—which has already reached Cyprus—make it clear that “Europe is in the crosshairs” and that technological developments are leading the world “towards a type of warfare for which Europe is not equipped.”
The report identifies serious and persistent gaps in air and missile defence, artillery, missiles and ammunition, drones and anti-drone systems, strategic enablers (including for space and critical infrastructure), military mobility, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and land and maritime combat systems. It is equally clear that “no single state can afford this development on its own,” Annunziata insisted.
These shortcomings should therefore be addressed, for example, through greater European cooperation on strategic and industrial issues, coordinated planning and targeted investment to ensure defence readiness. The flagship projects for preparedness must be launched as part of the Readiness2030 roadmap drawn up by the European Commission a year ago. With regard to the flagship initiatives proposed by Brussels (the European anti-drone defence initiative, eastern flank surveillance, the air defence shield and the space defence shield), MEPs urge the Commission to clarify the objectives, governance, timelines, and funding. “What Europe can do quickly, and in a way that is shared by all Member States, is to strengthen the development of technologies to create a common architecture—an integrated command, control, communication, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system—capable of enabling European forces to act together efficiently and coherently, carrying out joint operations between all Member States and with NATO,” the socialist MEP explained.
