Von der Leyen outlined a list of initiatives to boost Europe’s defense spending and military industrial complex, rearm militaries and continue to support Ukraine. A key element is a so-called European Sales Mechanism to pool national demand and jointly procure weapons.
For Europe’s defense industry to grow and make long-term investments, companies need a “steady stream of multiyear orders to steer investment and ramp up capacity.” This process “starts with investment in Europe,” she said, calling on member countries to “buy more European.”
“We need a functioning EU-wide network of land corridors, airports and seaports that facilitate the fast transport of troops and military equipment,” she said. “At the same time, we need to invest in air and missile defense, artillery systems, ammunition and missiles.”
And she left the door open to countries outside the EU to join those efforts.
“Our security is indivisible. That is why we are working to break new ground on security with the United Kingdom and other partners within Europe, in our neighborhood or within the G7 — from Canada to Norway,” and even as far afield as “India and other parts of Asia.”
A crucial driver is U.S. President Donald Trump questioning the transatlantic alliance, which has left European capitals scrambling to figure out how to deter Russia and replace key U.S. weapons systems with European ones.
