In particular, Borrell called for EU defense companies to have access to European innovation funds and to encourage collaboration with research institutes and universities.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell called on member states to increase investment in the development of defense technologies, highlighting the fragmentation of current spending and insufficient cooperation between states. Borrell wrote this on his blog on the website of the European External Action Service.
The EU and its member states currently spend €14.4 billion annually on military research and development, compared to €130 billion in the US.
The head of European diplomacy explained that this limited amount is spent in a fragmented way, with each member state setting its own priorities and carrying out separate types of work.
In addition, Borrell emphasized that only 18% of defense equipment was purchased within the framework of cooperation, the rest – at the national level.
The consequence is that the European defense industry “is too small, too fragmented and too lacking in innovation.”
He called for EU defense companies to be given access to European innovation funds and to encourage collaboration with research institutes and universities.
“We must also strengthen the cooperation between the European defense companies themselves, not only in the field of research and development, but also in the later stages of the process, starting with co-production,” added Borrell.
The diplomat also referred to the issue of strengthening the interaction between defense production and the private sector.
According to him, Europe is “at a critical stage.”
“While we have made progress with initiatives such as the European Defense Fund and the EU Center for Defense Innovation, we need to act more boldly. In a world of war and chaos, we must think big again; investing in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones and space capabilities and helping our defense industry reach its potential,” Borrell concluded.
Earlier, Borrell noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine had “changed Europe,” making it realize “the importance of strength” for the first time in nearly 80 years.
Borrell also said that finding ways for peace in Ukraine is only possible if the provisions of the UN Charter are respected.
Source: korrespondent
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