Pars Today – Georgetown University in the United States announced that while Europe requires massive defense investments, Donald Trump’s withdrawal from military and security support presents an opportunity for Europe to undertake extensive reforms and create a resilient and independent defense sector.
According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, a study by this American university addresses the strengthening of Europe’s defense sector during the U.S. withdrawal, stating that the European Union faces a critical opportunity to reshape its defense strategy in response to changing global dynamics and the approach of the new Trump administration.
Mario Draghi, former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Central Bank, presented a report in mid-2024 on the future of Europe’s competitiveness and the structural challenges facing its economy. The report proposed fundamental reforms across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on defense, which it considers central to Europe’s future competitiveness.
A key issue highlighted in the report is the lack of cohesion in the military defense sector. This fragmentation has led Europe to source a significant portion of its defense equipment from abroad. Currently, 78 percent of purchases by EU member states come from foreign suppliers, with American defense companies receiving 63 percent of these funds.
Draghi’s report deemed the expansion of Europe’s defense capabilities to require substantial investment and called for a fundamental shift in the financial model of EU governments. It also stated that, regardless of the outcome of the Ukraine war or future U.S. security commitments, European countries must prepare to counter future threats.
The former Italian Prime Minister believes that addressing security threats will require an additional 500 billion euros in investment.
To address these shortcomings, Draghi called for greater EU integration and stronger political commitment from European countries, proposing the establishment of an institution called the “European Defense Industries Organization” to centralize the procurement of defense equipment. He recommended that EU member states exceed NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense.
According to the report, moving toward a more independent defense sector in Europe will not immediately affect the U.S. military presence in Europe, but it is considered a necessary and long-term change. Draghi believes that to ensure long-term resilience, Europe must prioritize strengthening its defense industrial base rather than relying on ready-made purchases, most of which come from the U.S.
The report’s concluding section on the path to European defense integration notes that the European Defense Industrial Strategy in 2024 and its implementation through the European Defense Industry Programme (EDIP) will play a key role in shaping the future of the continent’s defense sector.
Achieving this vision requires two fundamental changes: first, the realization that the U.S. will no longer provide the previous level of military support, and second, overcoming Europe’s historical reluctance to cooperate in the defense industry. These changes are essential for creating an independent army or a more resilient, competitive, and autonomous defense sector in Europe.
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