As pressure mounts to strengthen security in the Old Continent, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder says efforts to strengthen Europe’s defense industry won’t give it autonomy overnight, but they need to start now. He told Euractic that there is.
“Europe has a strategic role to play, not only from a political and economic point of view, but also from a military point of view,” Dedonder said.
As Western countries struggle to meet Kiev’s demands for more military aid, Belgium is taking the lead as the EU’s rotating council president and the bloc aims to develop a comprehensive defense industrial strategy. .
“To ensure our security in a changing world, we as a European country must be able to guarantee the safety of our people without relying on one side or the other. This is a challenge,” she said, adding that Europe called for stronger autonomy. She also talks about defense issues such as the reindustrialization of the bloc.
After Russia attacked Ukraine two years ago, European countries across the continent pledged additional resources for their defense, but industry is not yet at wartime production pace, with heavy demands on production lines. They argue that long-term contracts are needed to justify scale investments and production increases.
“Deterrence and a strong defense against intervention require a strengthened defense industrial base,” he said, arguing for the strengthening of Europe’s military-industrial complex.
The country started reinvesting in its defense industry in 2020, and the minister decided to strengthen the country’s defense means by stepping up investments. Belgium plans to spend a record 1.8 billion euros by 2030 to strengthen its domestic industry.
US dependence on China
The “challenge” stems from the fact that “it is not easy to talk about independence after independence.” [working on] “It’s a long-standing peace dividend,” she said, noting that Europe’s decline in military spending after the end of the Cold War led to decades of underinvestment, while the United States never stopped committing significant resources. .
Despite the increase, she warned that this change “cannot be achieved overnight”.
Her comments came before Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump said the U.S. under his leadership may not be able to help NATO allies lacking defense spending. Ta.
“From a European perspective, we need to be able to be autonomous,” Dedonder said.
“Unfortunately, our biggest weakness over the past 20 years has been the dependencies we have developed,” she added, citing the example of raw materials needed to manufacture defense equipment.
For example, graphite is used in helicopters, submarines, artillery and missiles manufactured in the region, but 70% of global production comes from China, European Council President Charles Michel warned in the autumn. .
Even if Europe were unable to produce much-needed raw materials and rare earths, “everyone can see that Europe’s industrial capacity is not sufficient,” he said. “We need to rebuild this defense. It’s more than necessary,” she added.
One way to do this is to increase consistency in purchases, ensure that Europeans spend within European industries rather than externally, and give them a vision for long-term planning.
Dedonder said 80% of purchases of products manufactured by the industry, such as Belgium’s FN Herstal, are made outside Europe, particularly in Brazil.
In an attempt to give ammunition manufacturer FN Herstal a long-term vision that includes investing in production capacity and hiring new staff, the government has signed a contract with the company for the next 20 years.
Asked how he would like to find a European industrial base within 10 years, the minister said “as complementary as possible”, suggesting there should be European-made options for the products available.
“At European level, we need this strategic autonomy, which means we can find products that guarantee the safety of our citizens.”
“That doesn’t mean we don’t want to buy American Airlines anymore, but we need these capabilities.” [available in Europe]”
Belgium’s previous government purchased US-made F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.
“It is at times like these that we need to wake up to the reality of the situation,” he said, referring to European countries’ dependence on American capabilities and military power following the Taliban’s occupation of Afghanistan.
Asked how Trump’s role in pushing for increased defense spending has influenced her and her neighbors’ views on developing strategic autonomy for the continent, she said, “With or without President Trump, However, we must become stronger.”
Needs continue even after the Ukraine war
But the push to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities and industrial base shouldn’t stop even after the war ends, or even if Ukraine no longer needs significant military aid from its Western allies, DeDondar said. He says there is no.
“In any case, even after this war ends, we will still have to strengthen the security of NATO’s borders on European territory.”
This is also true in the case of Ukraine, DeDondar said, adding that the Europeans “always” talk about “short, medium and long-term aid” to Ukraine, and that the aim is “to help the Ukrainians modernize their military.” and to ensure that Ukrainians modernize their armed forces.” We can protect our territory even after the war ends,” she said.
Belgium is investing in the Kiev army’s demining force and is also involved in training Kiev pilots for the F-16 fighter jets, which are expected to be delivered in the next few years.
But she added that the continent is surrounded by crises, which especially requires a 360-degree approach.
Referring to the situation in Niger, where EU training teams have recently withdrawn, he said: “No one knows what is happening in Africa with regard to Russian and Chinese influence and the direct impact this could have on European countries. is paying attention,” he said.
[Edited by Alice Taylor]