EU Rearmament: Steps to Ready Defence Manufacturing
2025 has already been a transformative year for global politics.
We've seen the end of the Post-WW2 global order right before our very eyes, throwing the established trade and military relationships of our world into question.
Now with calls for rearmament in the EU, the state of defence manufacturing across European nations is coming under the spotlight.
"We are living in the most momentous and dangerous of times," says EU President, Ursula von der Leyen.
"I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face. Or the devastating consequences that we will have to endure if those threats would come to pass.
"The real question in front of us is whether Europe is prepared to act as decisively as the situation dictates.
"And whether Europe is ready and able to act with the speed and the ambition that is needed."
Is the EU ready? To answer yes right now would come with some hesitancy.
The EU's defence landscape is currently characterised by fragmentation and a reliance on external suppliers for critical components and technologies.
While the EU has made strides in enhancing its defence capabilities, the sector continues to face significant challenges in terms of integration, investment and innovation.
With EU nations turning away from relying on US statecraft, and global security threats rising, the EU's manufacturing sector must modernise to ensure it is ready for rearmament.
Strengthening collaboration between member states, investing in advanced technologies, and securing resilient supply chains are essential steps to enhance the EU's defence manufacturing readiness and enable swift and efficient responses to emerging threats.
Away from relying on US statecraft, and global security threats rising, the EU's manufacturing sector must modernise to ensure it is ready for rearmament.
Strengthening collaboration between member states, investing in advanced technologies and securing resilient supply chains are essential steps to enhance the EU's defence manufacturing readiness and enable swift and efficient responses to emerging threats.
What does the whitepaper say?
The EU's White Paper on the Future of European Defence outlines a comprehensive vision for strengthening European security and defence capabilities in the face of evolving global challenges.
It highlights the importance of a robust and united European Defence policy, with a focus on improving the EU's ability to act autonomously and decisively in both defence and crisis management.
The paper stresses that Europe faces multiple security threats, including regional instability, cyber threats, terrorism and the growing influence of non-EU powers.
In response, it calls for a more integrated and efficient European Defence strategy that can respond swiftly to crises.
Central to this vision is the strengthening of the European Defence Union, ensuring that the EU can effectively contribute to global peace and stability while reducing its reliance on external actors, notably NATO and the US.
The White Paper advocates for an increase in defence spending, suggesting that EU member states should allocate more resources to defence and defence research.
It proposes boosting military capabilities by enhancing collaboration between EU countries, focusing on joint procurement, pooling resources and developing shared defence infrastructure.
This will help to ensure that Europe can meet its strategic needs without duplication of efforts across member states.
A significant portion of the document is dedicated to the creation of the European Defence Fund, which is designed to support research and development in defence technologies.
This includes funding for innovation in areas such as cyber defence, unmanned systems and advanced weaponry. The White Paper also highlights the importance of enhancing the EUâs ability to respond to hybrid threats and improve cybersecurity capabilities.
In terms of external relations, the White Paper calls for a more proactive EU role in global security, advocating for stronger ties with NATO, the United Nations and other international actors.
The EU must also support capacity-building efforts in neighbouring regions, providing assistance to countries struggling with instability and conflict.
Finally, the document stresses the need for stronger political leadership in defence policy, with a call for greater coherence and coordination between EU institutions and member states.
It envisions a future where European defence policy is more strategically aligned and capable of responding to emerging threats, contributing to a more secure and resilient Europe.
Steps for the EU to strengthen manufacturing for rearnament
1. Strengthening defence industry collaboration
One of the first steps the EU must take to prepare its manufacturing sector for rearmament is to strengthen collaboration within the defence industry.
Currently, the European defence sector is fragmented, with many member states relying on national suppliers or non-EU countries for military goods and technologies.
To address this, the EU can encourage greater cooperation between member states and their respective defence industries, promoting joint ventures and multinational projects.
A unified approach would not only streamline production but also enable economies of scale, reducing costs and increasing the overall efficiency of military manufacturing.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) could play a central role in facilitating this collaboration, coordinating joint defence projects and encouraging member states to invest in shared defence capabilities.
Additionally, closer collaboration with NATO would ensure that European manufacturing aligns with broader international defence strategies.
2. Investing in advanced technologies
To ensure that its manufacturing sector is prepared for rearmament, the EU must invest in advanced technologies that will enable the rapid production of cutting-edge military equipment.
Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, 3D printing and automation are already transforming the way goods are produced.
The EU should prioritise these technologies within the defence manufacturing sector to ensure that it can produce advanced weapons, vehicles and systems at speed and scale.
AI and automation can help streamline manufacturing processes, reducing lead times and improving efficiency. 3D printing, on the other hand, can facilitate the rapid production of spare parts, enabling quicker repairs and reducing the reliance on lengthy supply chains.
The EU should also invest in cyber defence capabilities to protect its manufacturing infrastructure from potential cyber-attacks, which could disrupt production during times of crisis.
By making these technological investments, the EU can ensure that its manufacturing sector is both resilient and agile.
3. Ensuring supply chain resilience
A critical factor in preparing for rearmament is ensuring the resilience of the EU's supply chains.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how vulnerable global supply chains can be, with disruptions affecting everything from medical supplies to electronics.
In the context of rearmament, supply chain disruptions could delay the production of essential military equipment and materials, potentially jeopardising the EUâs security.
To mitigate this risk, the EU must diversify its supply chains, reducing its reliance on non-EU countries for key materials and components.
This might involve investing in domestic production of critical materials such as rare earth metals, which are essential for the production of advanced technologies.
Additionally, the EU can encourage strategic stockpiling of key materials and ensure that there are backup suppliers in place to ensure continuity of production.
Another important aspect is the development of a robust logistics network that can rapidly move goods across Europe.
The EU should modernise its transport infrastructure, ensuring that critical military supplies can be moved quickly and securely in the event of a crisis.
This will help ensure that Europe is not only able to manufacture the necessary goods but can also distribute them efficiently to where they are most needed.
4. Fostering a skilled workforce
Finally, the EU must focus on fostering a skilled workforce capable of supporting its manufacturing sector during rearmament.
As military technologies become increasingly complex, the demand for skilled workers in fields such as engineering, cybersecurity, robotics and materials science will grow.
The EU should invest in education and training programmes to ensure that its workforce has the necessary skills to meet these demands.
Collaboration with universities and research institutions will be crucial in developing new technologies and ensuring that there is a steady pipeline of talent entering the defence manufacturing sector.
The EU can also encourage private companies to partner with academic institutions to create specialised training programmes tailored to the needs of the defence industry.
Additionally, the EU should look at attracting talent from outside the region, ensuring that the manufacturing sector has access to the best and brightest individuals in fields such as AI and advanced manufacturing.
Preparing the EU's manufacturing sector for rearmament requires a multifaceted approach.
By strengthening defence industry collaboration, investing in advanced technologies, ensuring supply chain resilience, and fostering a skilled workforce, the EU can ensure that it is able to respond effectively to emerging security challenges.
With the right investments and strategies in place, the EU will be well-positioned to strengthen its defence capabilities and safeguard its future security.
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