Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has significant implications for European defence, which is leading to increased military spending by Member States. With today's Joint Communication, the Commission and the High Representative aim to help Member States to invest together, better and in a European way. It also responds to the call made in the context of the Conference of the Future of Europe for stronger EU action in defence.
This Joint Communication presents a new level of ambition to build a stronger Europe in defence. It focuses in particular on the joint acquisition of military equipment, on strategic defence programming to set clearer priorities, and on the support to the European industrial base, including the strengthening of the European defence R&D framework, the European Defence Fund (EDF). EU initiatives to foster defence cooperation also help reinforce a fairer Transatlantic burden-sharing and a more effective European contribution within NATO.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission said:
"The European Union is stepping up its effort to build a stronger European defence industry. We need to spend more on defence and we need to do it in a coordinated way. Today we are proposing concrete measures to strengthen our defence capabilities and the military technological edge of our European industrial base, based on an analysis of the defence investment gaps. This action will ensure a more effective European contribution in NATO.”
More information:
Joint Communication on the Defence Investment Gaps Analysis and Way Forward
Details
- Publication date
- 18 May 2022
- Author
- Representation in Ireland