European Commission outlines ambitious defence overhaul plan
The European Commission, in its latest publication, known as the white paper, has outlined key areas requiring enhancement in the context of bolstering European defence. Among these are air and missile defence systems, artillery, ammunition, and the East Shield initiative.
In the document, the European Commission has detailed a rearmament plan previously set out by President Ursula von der Leyen.
This plan includes, among other things, €150 billion in loans for defence projects, as well as a relaxation of budgetary rules for member states with regard to defence spending and the possibility of reallocating funds flexibly within the Union's budget.
The white paper emphasised that the presence of American troops in Europe has led to a degree of dependence on the USA. The document indicates that over-reliance on American protection has weakened Europe's capacity for self-defence and its autonomy in regional actions.
To address this dependence, it is necessary to develop defence capabilities through joint European projects, especially in light of potential changes in the United States' approach.
Seven key areas
The European Commission has identified seven key areas where the European Union has significant deficiencies. The first of these is air and missile defence, followed by artillery systems, and then ammunition and missiles.
The fourth area is drones and anti-drone systems. The fifth area is military mobility, the sixth involves the use of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in defence, and the seventh concerns strategic factors supporting defence capabilities and protecting critical infrastructure.
In relation to the last area, the document mentions the "East Shield" initiative, which aims to reinforce the protection of land borders.
