The European Union's defence chief has put forward a significant proposal to deeply integrate the bloc's defence industry with Ukraine, marking a strategic pivot as American peace efforts remain uncertain and Russian operations continue to concern the 27-nation alliance.
Substantial Financial Support and Strategic Integration
EU lawmakers are preparing to vote on a substantial €1.5 billion programme, with €300 million specifically allocated to the Ukraine Support Instrument. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius addressed lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, emphasising the mutual benefits of this partnership. "Ukraine's defence industry needs us," Kubilius stated, "But we need Ukraine's defence innovations even more."
The proposal would grant Ukrainian companies access to the EU's Defence Investment Program, enabling what Kubilius described as the ability to "procure defence equipment in, with and for Ukraine." This integration aims to inject Ukrainian military innovation directly into the European defence sector.
Europe's Defence Spending Surge and Strategic Independence
European defence spending has seen a remarkable increase, with €392 billion expected to be spent this year alone – nearly double the amount from four years ago, before Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. This surge comes as the Trump administration has signalled its intention to prioritise US security along its domestic borders and in Asia, effectively telling Europeans they must independently support Ukraine in the future.
The European Commission believes approximately €3.4 trillion will likely be spent on defence over the next decade. To facilitate this, the Commission intends to propose boosting the EU's long-term budget for defence and space to €131 billion.
Transforming Europe's Defence Industry
Under the newly unveiled EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap, member countries are being urged to purchase military equipment predominantly from within the bloc, working with European suppliers. The roadmap specifies that equipment should only be purchased from abroad when costs, performance, or supply delays make it preferable.
Kubilius detailed how EU-based defence companies can apply for tax breaks and financial incentives to fund ambitious European defence projects of common interest – initiatives like Eastern Flank Watch, the Drone Defence Initiative, or Space Shield. These are projects that "no member state can ever build alone, but that will protect the whole of Europe," he explained.
This strategic shift represents a significant transformation for the EU, which originated as a trading bloc designed to prevent conflict after two world wars. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine has fundamentally altered the Brussels-based bloc's approach, substantially heightening its defence and security posture across the continent.
