ASD on Bloomberg Today – why Europe must invest in its defence industry

Europe’s security landscape is evolving rapidly, and so are the demands on its defence industrial base. Yet despite the need for greater readiness and resilience, investment in European defence production remains uncertain. Speaking on Bloomberg Today, ASD Secretary General Jan Pie issued a stark warning: without long-term investment, Europe risks weakening its own industrial capabilities at a time when strategic autonomy is more critical than ever.

Jan Pie said: "I think there will be a huge political pressure for European leaders to place the orders on the US market, and I think this is one of the biggest mistakes and failures Europe can do. If you want to have a sustainable, strong and non-dependent European defence industrial base, the only solution, the only way to get there is to place the investments on the European side. So I think what our leaders need to do is to stay firm ...  and invest in the European defence industry.”

The risk of dependency

Pie emphasised that this is not just an industrial issue – it is a fundamental question of security. The European defence industry has the expertise, technology, and production capacity to meet the continent’s needs, but it requires sustained support. Without clear, long-term commitments from governments, European manufacturers will struggle to scale up, creating dangerous dependencies on external suppliers.

"The political leadership seems to know what to do, but does not dare to do it or does not find the finances to do it … What we really want to see is a major shift from policymaking to action."

Governments across Europe have recognised the need for increased defence spending, yet many procurement decisions remain fragmented. Short-term contracts, slow decision-making, and reliance on non-European suppliers threaten to undermine Europe’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to security challenges.

EU–UK industrial cooperation

ASD's Secretary General also highlighted the crucial role of the UK in the European defence landscape, emphasising the need for continued cooperation despite Brexit. "From our perspective, the UK is a very appreciated member of ASD, and roughly the UK industry is behind some one-third of the industrial defence capabilities in Europe as a whole. So to us, the UK is an extremely important component. It has knowledge, it has skills, it has competence, it has technologies that we desperately need on the EU side – and vice versa," he said.

A call for action

Jan Pie concluded by stressing that European industry is ready to deliver, but it needs predictable orders and commitments.

"It's only about priorities. Europe has the GDP, it has the economy, it has financial strength, but it needs to get its act together,” Jan Pie warned.

The solution is clear: sustained investment in European industry, coordinated procurement strategies, and a commitment to building long-term capacity. In a shifting security environment, ensuring Europe’s ability to defend itself starts with strengthening its own industrial base.