The European defence industry needs to be reviewed as EU defence instruments are not functional.
According to the Report, citing Lithuanian media, this point was made by Andrius Kubilius (former Lithuanian Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament), the candidate for European Commissioner for Defence and Space.
According to Kubilius, the creation of this post is explained by the current challenges in the defence sector, which is one of the most important problems facing the whole of Europe. According to the politician, this commission will pay special attention to defence and security issues.
He pointed out that only 20 per cent of military products are purchased by EU countries.
‘This shows that the European military industry as a resource really needs an overhaul,’ he said.
To solve this problem, Kubilius proposes that the EU find a way to invest additional funds in the development of the defence industry. Thus we could be talking about hundreds of billions of euros.
‘Ursula von der Leyen recently mentioned a sum of €500 billion for additional investments in Europe’s defence capacity over the next decade, and this is something that should be taken very seriously,’ the Lithuanian politician said.
