EU Proposes Major Defence Shift: Subsidising Rearmament
The European Commission has proposed a significant shift in European defence policy. It suggests using the European budget to subsidise member states' rearmament, encouraging joint purchases. This move comes amidst internal divisions and external threats, particularly Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The EU has a long history of discussing military alliances, dating back to the Treaty of Dunkirk in 1947 and the Treaty of Brussels in 1948. However, a concrete military alliance has never materialised due to varying defence priorities and budgets among member states. Despite this, the EU has developed mechanisms for defence cooperation, such as the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy. Initiatives like the European Defence Fund, the European Peace Facility, and PESCO also aim to strengthen EU defence capabilities.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European defence dynamics have changed. Finland and Sweden have joined NATO, and Denmark has joined PESCO. The European Commission is now considering a European defence fund to enhance procurement and readiness, indicating a shift towards greater European defence integration. This fund could help establish a robust European Defence Fund and foster joint military projects, moving towards an autonomous EU military alliance.
The European Commission's proposal to use the European budget for subsidising member states' rearmament is a significant step towards a more unified European defence policy. This move, along with other defence cooperation initiatives, aims to address internal divisions and present a united military front against external threats. However, the success of these efforts depends on member states' ability to overcome their differing defence priorities and budgets.
