El País report: Europe’s quest for defence independence
El País reports on Europe’s urgent push for defence sovereignty amid a shifting transatlantic alliance. The article concludes that long-term commitments, European-first procurement, and better coordination are key to securing the continent’s future
As the transatlantic alliance faces its most profound shift in decades, Europe finds itself at a crossroads: will it seize the moment to build a defence ecosystem of its own, or remain tethered to America? Spanish newspaper El País interviewed Jan Pie, Secretary General of ASD, in an article exploring Europe’s urgent need to rethink its defence architecture amid growing uncertainty over the US commitment to transatlantic security.
The article, titled “Europa busca una nueva defensa para un nuevo mundo” (Europe seeks a new defence for a new world), looks at the unprecedented shift in US–Europe relations and the pressing need for Europe to build its own strategic autonomy in defence.
Journalists Andrea Rizzi and María R. Sahuquillo point out that since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, European defence budgets and investments have increased significantly, but there is still a lack of long-term visibility and certainty about future demand. European defence companies, the article points out, have already invested heavily to expand production capacities in recent years, taking on substantial business risks without immediate assurances of orders on the same scale. While they are prepared for further ramp-up, they are calling for firm contracts and long-term commitments from their government customers to justify heavy investments in production capacities and manage financial risks.
Journalists Rizzi and Sahuquillo are interested in the seismic changes in the transatlantic alliance following a series of events that have shaken European confidence in US security guarantees. They explain that European leaders are urgently reflecting on how to establish a credible, independent defence framework capable of deterring threats, particularly from Russia.
In this context, Jan Pie is quoted on the critical role of Europe’s defence industry in achieving this goal:
“European defence companies can prepare for further expansion, but to invest heavily in production capacities and manage financial risks, they need to have firm contracts and long-term commitments from their government clients.”
[“Las empresas europeas de defensa pueden prepararse para una mayor expansión, pero, para invertir fuertemente en capacidades de producción y gestionar los riesgos financieros, necesitan contar con contratos firmes y compromisos a largo plazo por parte de sus clientes gubernamentales.”]
The article explores some of the challenges Europe faces in building its defence capabilities, including fragmentation among Member States, lack of interoperability, and reliance on US military technology. The article explains that while European defence spending has increased significantly – from €214 billion in 2021 to €326 billion in 2024 – the continent remains heavily reliant on US capabilities, particularly in areas like advanced missile defence and nuclear deterrence.
On this, Jan Pie warns:
“I think there will be enormous political pressure for European leaders to place orders on the US market, and I consider this to be one of the biggest mistakes and failures that Europe can make. If you want to have a sustainable, strong and non-dependent European defence industrial base, the only way to achieve this is to make the investments on the European side.”
[“Creo que habrá una enorme presión política para que los líderes europeos realicen los pedidos en el mercado estadounidense, y considero que este es uno de los mayores errores y fracasos que Europa puede cometer. Si se quiere tener una base industrial de defensa europea sostenible, fuerte y no dependiente, la única manera de lograrlo es realizar las inversiones en el lado europeo.”]
A call for European preference and coordination
A recurring theme in the article is the need for a European preference in defence procurement. Many contracts are currently awarded to third-country suppliers, a trend the European defence industry says should be reversed. The industry argues that a strong European defence industrial base is not just an economic asset but a defence capability in itself, essential for Europe’s resilience, security of supply, and freedom of action over the long term.
The article concludes by emphasising the need for political will and unity. As Europe grapples with a new geopolitical reality, the words of Jan Pie and other experts underscore the urgency of investing in a robust, independent defence industry. Long-term commitments from governments, a European-first approach to procurement, and better coordination across the continent are essential to ensure Europe’s security and strategic autonomy in an increasingly uncertain world. The time to act is now – Europe must spend more, and more European, to secure its future.
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