European Union Ambitious to Develop War-Winning Weapons

BRUSSEL – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on European Union (EU) member states to invest heavily in the defense industry.

These efforts should include the creation of weapons that will ensure their army’s dominance on the battlefield, he said.

Von der Leyen also equated European security with continued support for Ukraine, which she said Brussels would continue to provide “as long as necessary.”

While addressing the European People’s Party congress in Bucharest, Romania on Thursday (7/3/2024), von der Leyen said the bloc needed to “increase the capacity of our defense industry in the next five years.”

He added, “This push will help us meet the urgent need to rebuild, replenish and modernize the armed forces of member states.”

“By doing this, Europe must strive to develop and produce the next generation of operational capabilities capable of winning battles,” he explained.

The Commission President’s remarks came after the EU’s executive body presented its strategy to boost the bloc’s defense industry on Tuesday.

The document calls, among other things, to streamline arms procurement among member states and reduce dependence on the US defense industry.

Speaking the next day to Politico’s Playbook, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also urged member states to step up their cooperation.