EU Commission has announced its plans to strengthen European defense, the so -called white book.
The goal is that the EU will become a credible, independent player in defense by 2030. According to the Commission, the EU is to “re -order” due to the changed world political situation.
The most important acute goal is to continue support for Ukraine.
The EU is about the additional EUR 800 billion in defense. EU leaders approved the goal in early March.
The amount of EUR 150 billion would come from the new SAFE funding equipment, which would be financed by the debt taken by the Commission, and 650 billion would have their own use of money for weapons and defense.
Member States are encouraged to borrow by flexible on EU debt rules. The country would not have to have an economic observation class if its deficit increases due to defense investments.
One of the key tools would be the joint procurement that the EU countries could do either with other Member States or, for example, with Britain, Norway or Ukraine.
Today, Member States buy military equipment on their own, leading to overlap and expensive purchases that are not compatible with countries.
– Shared work has an immeasurable value. And we can take a lot of learning from Ukraine’s battlefields to what our defense needs, the high representative of the EU foreign policy Kaja Kallas says.
These weapons would need the most painful
In its policies, the Commission mentions seven critical development and joint acquisitions for the EU.
First is anti -aircraft and missile defense. According to the Commission, Europe needs better protection from missiles, airplanes and droons.
Second are artillery systemsincluding Himars-type long-range rocket launchers and long-range missiles.
Third are ammunition and missiles. The EU should have sufficient ammunition and missiles in stock in the event of a crisis situation and with enough manufacturing capacity.
The fourth are the droons and the counter done systemsthe importance of which has been emphasized in Ukraine.
Fifth applies to infrastructurethrough which the equipment and troops can be moved. This means, for example, strengthening ports, airports and land connections.
Sixth associated with cyber attacks and electronic warfare and to use quantum technology and artificial intelligence in defense.
Seventh applies to so -called “big military talents”such as air refueling systems, maritime surveillance and battlefield management and intelligence systems where Europe is largely or partly dependent on NATO.
The primary goal is to reduce Europe’s dependence on other countries, mainly from the United States.
Objective: At least half of the acquisitions within the EU
According to the Commission, Europe must now make a fundamental choice. There are two options, it paints: either crap and reaction, or the EU takes the lead in its own hands.
The Commission emphasizes both Russia’s threat and the US line change, but also mentions terrorism, gangs and cyber attacks as a threat. The countries of southern Europe even consider them even greater dangers to Russia.
But supporting Ukraine is also the most important background factor in white paper. The EU has to invest in weapons because it is able to arrange Ukraine at all.
-Yes, it is still a spike strategy, the Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius He confirmed the previously created image of Ukraine as a “steel spike,” which, in the forefront of Europe, can withstand Russia’s attacks.
At the same time, the Commission wants the EU -wide defense market. The goal is to target purchases more within the EU.
The European defense industry is not able to produce sufficient material for the needs of the Member States. Many defense companies are competitive, but there are weaknesses in the industry.
According to the previous policy of the Commission, the goal is for Member States to make at least half of the acquisitions of their defense budgets within the EU by 2030. After five years, the claim will intensify to 60 %.
Now, according to the Commission, the defense procurement of the Member States is four times higher than the ten years ago, but the acquisitions are mainly done outside the EU.
Weapon purchases do not decide the EU but Member States
Decisions on procurement would continue to be made by Member States.
If all Member States increased their defense expenditure by 1.5 % of their GDP, the additional investments of EUR 650 billion desired by the Commission would come together.
The Commission is hardly proposed by the Commission.
Common debt in Germany, the Netherlands and Finland has been much on display – there will be no new common debt, but it is included in the financial instrument of EUR 150 billion.
In it, the Commission takes off a loan from the market as a collateral for EU budget, and Member States can apply for it for joint projects.
The Commission has now specified that there must be at least two applicants for the loan, and at least one must be EU country. For example, a partner may be Ukraine. Britain and Norway are also suitable for partners under joint defense agreements.
Money for defense investments could also be directed from the European Investment Bank and structural money included in the EU budget.