EU Commission ready to present strategy for the European defence industry

Brussels –  It is only a matter of weeks before the new strategy for Europe’s defence industry is presented. Still, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is already hinting at how the EU executive intends to proceed in this strategic sector. “We need more investment, more coordinated, and more European, which is why by next month we will present a strategy for the European defence industry,” is what was announced today (Feb. 16) to the press with Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder, and NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, before the start of the annual Munich Security Conference.

In the Communication to Member States on Competitiveness, published in September last year, there was already an anticipation, but with the legislature nearing its end, the time has come to present the plan from an anti-Russia and anti-China perspective. The“more sustainable and long-term” investments in the defence industry plan will have to be channelled into “more shared projects” among the 27 countries, within the framework that “if European taxpayers invest billions in defence, then they must expect  a return on investment, i.e., good jobs in Europe.” At the moment, the College of Commissioners’ agenda includes the item on the strategy on the defence industry and the European Defense Investment Program (EDIP) for Feb. 27, “but it is still provisional,” EU Commission spokeswoman responsible for the Internal Market, Defense Industry and Space, Johanna Bernsel, told the Brussels press.

In her speech in Munich, von der Leyen reiterated that “autocracies around the world look to the example” of the Russian war in Ukraine “and how we stand united and react to this aggression.” An implicit reference also to the words of Donald Trump (about failing to defend against any future attacks from Moscow on European countries) considering the presence of the Atlantic Alliance secretary general at her side: “The strategy of strengthening the European defence industry is in close cooperation with NATO on planning processes and standards,” von der Leyen assured. It is no coincidence that the 31 allies are grounding increased national defence investment plans, with the 2 per cent target relative to GDP to be achieved this year by “18 countries, including Germany,” Stoltenberg disclosed, and Montenegro (as announced by the Balkan country’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, in an interview to Eunews).

However, given that 22 EU countries are also members of NATO, the Union’s parallel strategy will be crucial to avoid duplication. “We have a very fragmented defence market, and that has to change,” von der Leyen clarified, talking to the Financial Times and referring to the role of the EU Commission as “a facilitator, not a buyer” in the defence industry. The parallel is with the 27 countries’ joint purchases of COVID-19 vaccines and gas: “We should work with incentives to get member states to work better together,” e.g., “If you want a new tank, get together.” Reinforcing the message of the chairwoman of the EU executive was the NATO secretary general: “If we want lasting peace, we must continue to supply Ukraine with arms and ammunition; this requires the expansion of our transatlantic industrial base also to replenish our stockpiles.”