EU launches large-scale project to produce weapons and support Ukraine – Politico
The EU is gearing up for a transformative push in its defense sector, according to a draft White Paper on defense acquired by Politico, crafted by EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and chief diplomat Kaja Kallas.
Slated for review by EU leaders next week — though its final form may shift — the plan aims to ramp up weapons production, support Ukraine, and counter Russia, labeled an "existential threat" due to its aggressive policies and invasions.
"The need to deter from Russian armed aggression will remain even after a just and lasting peace agreement with Ukraine," the document asserts, according to Politico’s report.
Key tenets include:
→ prioritizing EU-based arms manufacturing,
→ encouraging joint procurement to slash costs,
→ streamlined defense funding,
→ plugging security gaps like air defense and military mobility,
→ slashing red tape on defense investments.
The urgency stems from Ukraine’s need for resources post-U.S. aid cuts, with the text warning, "Without significant additional military resources, Ukraine would not be able to negotiate a just and lasting peace from a position of strength."
It also flags U.S. support as increasingly unreliable, urging, "Europe cannot take the US security guarantee for granted and must substantially step up its contribution to preserve NATO," though the Alliance remains the bedrock of collective defense.
With the U.S. potentially scaling back, the EU eyes a robust military-industrial complex, proposing joint procurement to optimize contracts. Investment priorities span air and missile defense, artillery, munitions, drones, counter-drone tech, military mobility, AI, quantum tech, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and infrastructure protection.
For Ukraine, the EU pledges 1.5 million artillery shells, new air defense systems, ongoing training, orders from Kyiv’s defense sector, and integration into EU military funding, plus expanded corridors for equipment and troop transport.
Initial steps include easing budget rules to hike defense spending, aiming for 35% joint funding among EU states, launching a €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme, and aligning with NATO priorities.
Post a March 2 London summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed "urgently rearming Europe" and offering Ukraine "comprehensive security guarantees," floating a voluntary fund to sidestep Hungary’s veto.
