The EU and its Member States must prepare for a more dangerous world

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has changed the geopolitical environment in which we operate, accelerating the emergence of a multipolar landscape marked by heightened instability and greater use of force, as well as rising polarisation and fragmentation. The tragic events in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and the serious risk of regional spill-over, only reinforce this assessment.

In October, I gathered the EU foreign ministers in Kyiv for the first-ever Foreign Affairs Council in a non-EU country and the first in a country at war. This was a strong message of solidarity and support to Ukraine and a strong message that we will stand with Ukraine until a just and sustainable peace is achieved. Unfortunately Russia’s brutal attacks continue relentlessly.

The EU and its Member States urgently need to strengthen their defence capacities, as well as to strengthen the European defence industry. What we have done to support Ukraine are steps in this direction.

First-ever joint EU live military drill

Through the European Peace Facility (EPF) we provided, in a closely coordinated way, substantial support in terms of military equipment and ammunition. This support is now comparable in size to that of the United States. We also continue to support Ukraine with the EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM). Next year, we aim to reach a total of 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained on EU soil.

We have also taken steps towards the common purchase of ammunition. Nine contracts were signed with different companies for the acquisition of ammunition, or ammunition components, and seven countries have placed orders for 155mm ammunition via the joint acquisition procedure set up by EDA.

I have proposed we top up the EPF with a dedicated fund to support the defence of Ukraine over the next four years.

But defence collaboration is not just about Ukraine. In recent years we have become painfully aware that European security is in danger. We live in a world of multiple threats and challenges, with failing states on our borders and instability never far away. Part of our response, as agreed in the Strategic Compass of March 2022, is the creation of a new rapid reaction force to respond to crises outside the EU.

In October 2023, we tested our future Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) through LIVEX, the first-ever joint EU live military exercise, near Cadiz in Spain. The exercise mobilised 2,800 soldiers from nine EU countries, assisted by six ships, helicopters and two jets. Such exercises contribute to improving the interoperability between our forces and we plan to organise them on a regular basis.

Spending more, and spending better

The EU and its Member States need to spend more on defence, but first and foremost to spend better, in a more coordinated way to fill gaps and avoid duplication. New EDA data shows that in 2022, the total defence expenditure of the 27 Member States – including Denmark, which joined EU defence cooperation this year – amounted to €240 billion. That marks the eighth year of consecutive growth. Some 24% of that amount, or €58 billion, was allocated to defence investments.

Spending for research and technology was €3.5 billion. We are still €1.3 billion from the 2% benchmark.

We need to develop agile, interoperable, technologically advanced, and resilient forces. That is why, with Member States, EDA and the European Union Military Staff, we have defined 22 EU capability development priorities in areas from ground combat capabilities to electronic warfare and medical support. (see EDM pages 20-25). 

Be they naval combat capabilities or integrated air missile defence, we must develop these capabilities together as much as possible – and in coherence with NATO.  Artillery, armoured vehicles and airpower are only one aspect of modern warfare. Having properly equipped infantry also remains crucial. That is why ‘Future Soldier Systems’ – giving our men and women in uniform the technology, sensors, protection and optimal textiles for missions – is so important.

I have often said that we, Europeans, need to learn the language of power.

The war against Ukraine and instability in our neighbourhood have accelerated our learning curve but we still have quite a lot of work to do. EDA’s actions to foster EU-wide collaboration in the defence sector are central in this endeavour.