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BRUSSELS — The EU aims to launch a massive project to build up its defense industry aimed at deterring Russia and supporting Ukraine while the U.S. pulls backs from the continent, according to a draft of the so-called White Paper on defense obtained by POLITICO.
“Rebuilding European defence requires a massive investment over a sustained period,” the draft says.
The paper, prepared by EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, is due to be presented next week to EU leaders. The draft could still change before being released.
Crucial elements of the new EU policy include favoring weapons production within the bloc and “like-minded third-country companies,” encouraging joint purchases of arms, making it easier to finance defense projects, focusing on key areas where the bloc has a capacity shortfall like air defense and military mobility, and slashing red tape on defense investments.
Russia’s actions are the driving force behind the new policy.
“Russia is an existential threat to the Union and given its past record of invading its neighbours and its current expansionist policies, the need to deter from Russian armed aggression will remain even after a just and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine,” the draft says.
The immediate priority is to ensure that Ukraine can continue fending off Russian attacks.
“Without significant additional military resources, particularly now that the US has suspended its support, Ukraine would not be able to negotiate a just and lasting peace from a position of strength,” the paper says.
The shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, Europe and NATO is noted throughout the 20-page document, which states: “Europe cannot take the US security guarantee for granted and must substantially step up its contribution to preserve NATO.”
However, it stresses that “NATO remains the cornerstone of collective defence in Europe.”
It notes that Europe has become dependent on American military capabilities, which creates a danger now that the U.S. “is reconsidering its approach and may decide to restrict the use or even halt the availability of those enablers.”
Rebuilding the EU’s military-industrial complex means the bloc “should consider introducing European preference into public procurement for strategic defence-linked sectors and technologies.”
It also underlines the need for “collaborative procurement” as a way of tackling the bloc’s fragmented defense market and giving countries the financial firepower to strike advantageous deals. The European Commission “could also act as a central purchasing body on their behalf.”
The paper sketches out seven key areas for priority investments: air and missile defense; artillery systems; ammunition and missiles; drones and counter-drone systems; military mobility; AI, quantum, cyber and electronic warfare; and strategic enablers, combat capabilities and critical infrastructure protection.
The paper also assures that member countries will remain in the driving seat — a traditional sore point with capitals worried about Brussels intruding into areas of national sovereignty.
“Member States are responsible for their armed forces — from doctrine development to deployment,” the paper says. “The radically changed strategic context combined with Member States’ acute capability shortfalls requires however much more collaboration among Member States to re-build their defences.”
Initial steps include getting member countries to do the following: approve a proposed loosening of the bloc’s fiscal rules that will make it easier to boost defense spending; agree to collaborate on 35 percent of defense spending; approve the €1.5 billion European Defense Industry Programme; and agree on critical capability areas with NATO.
The paper also lays out a series of key measures to help Ukraine, including providing 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, continuing to train Ukrainian troops, placing orders with Ukraine’s defense industry, tying Ukraine more closely into EU military financing schemes, and expanding the bloc’s military mobility corridors to encompass Ukraine.
