The European Union is intensifying efforts to formulate its own security strategy, aiming to enhance its defense capabilities and influence on the international stage. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a closed meeting with Members of the European Parliament, emphasizing the bloc’s ambitions to become a “military power”.
This is reported by Business • Media
Investments in Defense and New Projects
Currently, the EU is already implementing large-scale defense initiatives, including the ReArm program with a total budget of up to 800 billion euros and SAFE, which facilitates joint arms procurement. Nineteen member states have already joined the latter initiative. Separately, EU countries continue to expand their own defense capabilities. For instance, a factory by Nitrotol recently began operations in Estonia, producing ammunition.
Finland, after officially exiting the Ottawa Conference, plans to establish production of anti-personnel mines, with the first deliveries expected as early as 2027. Sweden is directing 15 billion Swedish kronor (1.6 billion USD) towards developing air defense to strengthen the protection of its population and infrastructure. France, for its part, plans to allocate an additional 36 billion euros for military purposes by 2030.
The Idea of Creating European Armed Forces
European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius is urging the EU to consider the formation of a permanent armed force of 100,000 personnel. In his view, it is also necessary to reform the political mechanisms regulating the bloc’s defense policy. Among the proposed measures is the establishment of a European Security Council involving the United Kingdom, which would ensure the operational review of key defense issues and expedite the adoption of strategic decisions.
“In total, this would involve about 10-12 members, whose task would be to discuss the most important defense issues and quickly prepare key decisions,” Kubilius concluded.